do a number on meaning

(slang)
1. To defeat utterly
2. To cheat or take advantage of

[American idiom]
to damage or harm someone or something. (Slang.)
• The teacher did a number on the whole class. That test was terrible.
• Tom did a number on Mary when he went out with Ann.

• do a number on so or sth:    [American slang]Sl ...
• do a number on someone:    [American slang]tr ...
• a number:    [American slang]n. ...

Examples

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1. A dirty floppy drive can do a number on a disk.
2. Black bears do a number on trees by scratching bark.
3. I feel like I could do a number on him.
4. I will do a number on him when we fight,
5. So the 2000 season didn't do a number on his psyche?