Down to earth

Meaning

A down-to-earth person is practical, honest and friendly, without any show. They don't act superior, even if they're rich, famous or powerful. You can talk to them like a normal person. The picture is someone with their feet on the ground, not floating above everyone else. It is a warm compliment in almost every situation.

It is neutral and works anywhere: with friends, at work, in a reference letter. Before a noun, use hyphens in writing: "a down-to-earth manager". After the verb, you can drop them: "She's very down to earth." It can also describe ideas or advice: "down-to-earth advice" is practical and realistic, not fancy theory. The opposite, if you need one, is "full of themselves" or, more kindly, "a bit distant".