Decreasing, Losing, or Weakening (Down), Causing Damage, Death, or Pressure (Down), Stopping, Suppressing, or Silencing (Down) and 5 More Topics · Phrasal Verbs with Down And Away

to gradually decrease in intensity, volume, or activity

"The wind dies down after sunset."

"The wind finally died down after several hours so the sailors could safely leave the harbor and continue their journey."

to decrease the number of possibilities or choices

"Narrow down your choices to three."

"We need to narrow down our list of potential candidates to just three people who will come for final interviews."

to reduce a number to the closest lower whole number

"Round down the decimal number."

"The teacher told the students to round down the decimal to the nearest whole number for the sake of simplicity."

to decrease in quantity or supply as a result of items being sold

"Sell down your shares quickly."

"The investor decided to sell down his shares in the company after the stock price dropped significantly."

to rapidly decline

"The economy spiraled down rapidly."

"The company's profits began to spiral down after the new competitor entered the market with a cheaper and better product."

to willingly step back from a position or authority, and allow someone else to take over

"The general will stand down."

"After years of dedicated service, the CEO decided to stand down and let the new generation lead."

to voluntarily resign or retire from a job or position

"The CEO steps down next month."

"The CEO announced that he would step down from his position after twenty years of leading the company successfully."

to reduce the intensity of something

"Tone down your criticism slightly."

"The speaker was asked to tone down his aggressive rhetoric because it was making some members of the audience uncomfortable."

to reduce the intensity or force of something

"They tamp down the noise."

"The mayor tried to tamp down public fears by holding a press conference to explain the safety measures clearly."

to make someone or something in power lose their position

"Bring down the government."

"The scandal brought down the entire government and new elections were called for the following month."

to have a decrease in price, temperature, etc.

"Prices will come down."

"We are hoping the high temperatures will finally come down next week."

(of a price, temperature, etc.) to decrease in amount or level

"Prices go down."

"Due to increased competition and improved production methods, the cost of the technology is expected to go down."

to lower the price of something, often temporarily

"They mark down prices."

"The department store decided to mark down all winter clothing significantly to clear out old inventory before spring."

to move with a lower speed or rate of movement

"Slow down before the intersection."

"Drivers must slow down when approaching a school zone because children may be crossing the street."

to turn a switch on a device so that it makes less sound, heat, etc.

"Turn down the music."

"Could you please turn down the volume on the television; it's quite loud for this hour?"

to make something such as a law, suggestion, etc. less intense, complicated, or forceful, typically by removing or reducing certain parts of it

"They water down rules."

"The government felt compelled to water down the proposed legislation to gain broader support from opposing political factions."

to slowly weaken someone's emotional or mental strength over time, often due to continuous pressure or challenges

"He will wear down."

"Constant criticism and unreasonable demands from management began to wear down the employee's morale and motivation over time."

to slowly reduce the activity of a business or organization, leading to its eventual closure

"They will wind down operations."

"The company decided to slowly wind down its operations, informing employees about the gradual closure over the next year."

to use up all of one's energy, especially to the point of stopping or ceasing to function

"The battery will run down."

"If you leave the lights on all night, the car battery will eventually run down completely."

to be completely destroyed by fire, leaving nothing behind

"The barn burned down completely."

"The old barn burned down completely in the fire because the firefighters could not get there in time."

to cut something, usually a tree or large plant

"Chop down that dead tree."

"The lumberjack chopped down the huge oak tree with a series of powerful swings of his sharp axe."

to seriously injure or kill a person by shooting them, particularly someone who is defenseless

"The gunman gunned down innocent civilians."

"The security camera clearly showed the masked attacker gun down the unarmed security guard before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle."

to kill or cause harm to a large number of people, often through violent means

"The car mowed down the crowd."

"The speeding car mowed down several pedestrians who were crossing the street at the crosswalk."

to demolish a structure or building, typically by pulling it apart or taking it down piece by piece

"Pull down the fence."

"The city decided to pull down the unsafe structure because it posed a danger to pedestrians passing by."

to destroy something completely

"They tear down the old factory."

"The city plans to tear down the old abandoned factory next month and build a new park in its place."

to make someone feel sad or stressed by putting a lot of emotional or mental pressure on them

"Worries weigh him down."

"The constant pressure of deadlines and responsibilities began to weigh down her spirits considerably."

to hit someone or something with great strength or power

"The storm beat down."

"The relentless hail managed to beat down the fragile greenhouse, causing substantial damage to the glass panes."

(of a machine or vehicle) to stop working as a result of a malfunction

"The car will break down."

"My old car is likely to break down again due to its age and poor maintenance."

to cut through something at its base in order to make it fall

"Cut down on sugary drinks."

"The doctor advised him to cut down on his salt intake to lower his high blood pressure."

to destroy a structure such as building or wall

"They knocked down the wall."

"The demolition crew used heavy machinery to knock down the old abandoned factory."

to mercifully end the life of a sick or elderly animal to prevent further suffering

"We must put down."

"The veterinarian made the difficult decision to put down the beloved family pet due to its advanced age and chronic pain."

to injure or kill by knocking someone or something down and passing over their body, as with a vehicle

"The car run down."

"Tragically, the distracted driver failed to notice the pedestrian and accidentally run down the unsuspecting individual."

to fire upon an aircraft or another object with the intent of bringing it to the ground

"They will shoot down the plane."

"The anti-aircraft batteries were ordered to shoot down any enemy aircraft that entered their airspace."

to become damaged through regular use

"The stairs wear down."

"The constant friction of footsteps will eventually wear down the edges of the stone steps over many years."

to take strict measures to control or suppress something, often via enforcing rules or regulations

"Police clamped down on protesters."

"The police promised to clamp down on illegal street racing after several serious accidents occurred in the city."

(of a business, shop, company, etc.) to no longer be open or operating, particularly permanently

"The factory closed down permanently."

"The local factory was forced to close down due to a lack of orders and increased competition from overseas."

to take decisive measures to enforce rules or laws

"Crack down on illegal parking."

"The school administration is cracking down on students who use their phones during class by confiscating the devices."

to signal a vehicle to stop, often by using hand gestures

"Flag down a passing taxi."

"The stranded motorist flagged down a passing police car to ask for help with his broken vehicle."

to maintain something at a low level and prevent it from increasing

"Keep down the noise please."

"Please try to keep the noise down because the baby is finally sleeping after crying for hours."

to stop talking or making noise

"Pipe down the noisy children."

"The teacher told the noisy students to pipe down so that she could begin the lesson."

to become silent or less noisy

"Quiet down the noisy classroom."

"The librarian asked the noisy students to quiet down so that others could study in peace."

to silence someone or not allow their speech or opinion to be heard by making loud noises or shouting

"The crowd shouted down the speaker."

"The angry protesters tried to shout down the speaker so that no one could hear what he was trying to say."

to set rules that restrict freedom

"Rules tie down our choices."

"The new regulations will tie down small businesses with excessive paperwork and compliance."

to cause something to get stuck in mud or wet ground, preventing it from moving easily

"The car will bog down."

"The heavy rainfall caused the unpaved road to turn into a muddy mess, threatening to bog down any vehicles attempting to pass."

to forcefully suppress emotions or reactions

"He will choke down tears."

"Despite the immense pressure and public scrutiny, the politician managed to choke down his frustration and maintain a composed demeanor."

to restrict the freedom, rights, or aspirations of individuals or groups, often through oppressive or authoritarian measures

"They hold down workers."

"Historically, oppressive regimes have sought to hold down their populations by limiting access to education and information."

to prevent the progress of something

"They shoot down ideas."

"The committee's primary function seemed to be to shoot down every innovative proposal brought before them without proper consideration."

to make something stop working

"He shuts down the computer before leaving."

"Please shut down your computer properly before leaving the office to avoid losing any unsaved work."

to put something down forcefully, typically expressing anger and frustration

"He banged down the book."

"She banged down her coffee mug on the counter after hearing the bad news."

to lower one's upper body toward the ground

"Bend down to pick it up."

"The tall man had to bend down to go through the low doorway of the old cottage."

(of wind) to cause something such as trees or structures to fall

"The wind will blow down trees."

"Last night the strong storm managed to blow down several old trees along the main road."

to cause something to fall over by hitting it

"The ball bowled down pins."

"The skilled bowler managed to bowl down all ten pins with a single, powerful throw."

to fall to the ground

"Babies often fall down daily."

"The old wooden fence finally fell down after the strong wind blew through the neighborhood."

to put one's body in a flat position in order to sleep or rest

"She lies down for a short nap."

"I need to lie down for a few minutes because I am feeling very dizzy and tired after the long walk."

to move from a standing position to a sitting position

"Sit down and relax for a while."

"Please sit down and make yourself comfortable while I get you a cup of coffee."

to forcefully put something down

"Slam down the book on the table."

"The angry customer slammed down the defective product on the counter and demanded a full refund immediately."

(of an aircraft or spacecraft) to land on the ground

"The plane touched down safely."

"The space capsule is scheduled to touch down in the ocean at approximately seven o'clock in the morning."

to physically move backward from a particular position or place

"He will back down now."

"After realizing the strength of public opinion, the politician was forced to back down from his controversial stance on the issue."

to come down from a higher point or position, often with a careful or controlled manner

"He will climb down."

"The experienced climber will carefully climb down the steep and treacherous mountain face."

to cause something or someone to fall to the ground

"He will knock down."

"The strong gust of wind managed to knock down the old oak tree in the yard."

to extend one's arm or body downward in order to touch or grab something at a lower level

"She will reach down."

"The teacher had to reach down to retrieve the dropped pencil from under the student's chair."

to quickly go to a different location, particularly to do a specific task

"I must run down to shop."

"I need to run down to the post office quickly to mail this important package."

to make a note of something in a hurried and informal style

"She jots down important notes quickly."

"Let me jot down your phone number so I can call you later to confirm our meeting time."

to officially state that something, such as a principle or rule must be obeyed

"Lay down the law clearly."

"The constitution lays down the fundamental rights and responsibilities of all citizens of the country."

to write something down so that it will not be forgotten

"Note down the important dates."

"Please note down the address before you forget it because we will need it later for the directions."

to hastily write something on a piece of paper without much care for neatness or detail

"Scribble down the phone number."

"The journalist scribbled down the politician's quote in his notebook as quickly as he could before the interview ended."

to write thoughts or information on paper

"Set down your ideas now."

"The author decided to set down her initial thoughts and ideas on paper before starting to write the novel."

to quickly write something in an informal or hasty manner

"Stick down the number."

"Just stick down the main points of your argument so we don't forget them."

to record something on a piece of paper by writing

"Write down your phone number."

"Please write down your contact information so I can call you if there are any changes."

to record or note something for future reference or action

"Mark down the important date."

"The store decided to mark down all winter coats by fifty percent to clear out their remaining inventory before spring arrives."

to write and record information, like in books or documents

"Please put down notes."

"The historian was able to put down a detailed account of the revolution based on primary sources."

to write information for later use

"Take down my name."

"She asked the waiter to take down her order for the delicious-looking meal."

to eat something quickly and with enthusiasm

"He gobbled down his dinner quickly."

"The hungry dog gobbled down his entire bowl of food in less than thirty seconds without even chewing."

to transfer something to the next generation or another person

"Traditions are passed down through families."

"The valuable antique necklace has been passed down through five generations of women in our family."

to drink a beverage after a meal to help swallow and digest the food

"Wash down the pill with water."

"He used a glass of cold milk to wash down the large piece of chocolate cake he had just eaten."

to eat something quickly and greedily, often without pausing

"He wolfed down his breakfast quickly."

"The hungry boy wolfed down his entire dinner in less than five minutes."

to securely fasten something in place

"Buckle down the strap."

"You need to buckle down and study for the exam instead of wasting time on your phone."

to give something valuable, like family traditions, skills, or items, from one generation to the next

"Grandparents hand down traditions."

"This beautiful necklace has been handed down from mother to daughter in our family for over one hundred years."

to secure something in place by using nails

"Nail down the board."

"We need to nail down the loose floorboards before someone trips and injures themselves."

to secure something in place using pins or similar objects

"Pin down the paper."

"The artist used pins to pin down the canvas securely before beginning to paint."

to drink something completely and quickly

"Pour down the water."

"The rain poured down so heavily that the streets flooded within an hour and cars could not pass."

to quickly deliver something to a specific person or place, especially with great urgency

"Run down to the store."

"Please run down to the pharmacy and pick up this urgent prescription for me immediately."

to escape from a person who is holding one

"He breaks away from the group."

"The prisoner managed to break away from his guards during the transfer."

to make someone leave

"Call away the guard."

"The doctor was called away from the party to attend to an emergency at the hospital."

to forcefully remove someone or something from a particular place or activity

"Drag him away from the screen."

"It was difficult to drag the children away from the playground because they were having so much fun on the swings."

to escape punishment for one's wrong actions

"He got away with it."

"The thief tried to get away with the stolen goods but was caught by security."

to move from a person or place

"The pain will go away soon."

"The dark clouds finally went away after three days of continuous heavy rain."

to go to live in another area

"They moved away from the city."

"The family decided to move away from the noisy city to find a quieter life in the countryside."

to escape from or suddenly leave a specific place, situation, or person, often in a hurried manner

"The boy ran away from home."

"The frightened child wanted to run away from home but did not know where to go."

to ask or cause someone to leave a place or situation, usually as a punishment or because of unwanted behavior

"Send away the unwanted visitors."

"The store manager sent away the young customer who had no money and was just loitering in the aisle."

to depart quietly and without being noticed

"The thief slipped away in darkness."

"The thief slipped away into the crowded market before the police could catch him."

to avoid someone or something that might have a negative impact on one

"Stay away from dangerous areas."

"The doctor advised him to stay away from fatty foods to improve his heart health."

to leave a place quietly, typically to avoid being noticed

"He tried to steal away quietly."

"After the party ended, she decided to steal away from the crowd without saying goodbye to anyone."

to leave somewhere having a certain impression or feeling

"She comes away with valuable experience."

"She came away from the meeting feeling very frustrated because nothing had been decided or accomplished."

to cause someone or something to leave or go away, often by force or persuasion

"Drive away the cat."

"The loud noises and sudden movements were enough to drive away the startled wildlife."

to escape from someone or somewhere

"Let's get away for the weekend."

"They decided to get away from the city for the weekend and rented a small cabin in the mountains."

to throw an object out intentionally

"Cast away the old boat."

"He decided to cast away the old, broken furniture rather than try to repair it."

to discard things that are no longer useful

"Chuck away those old papers."

"Do not chuck away those old magazines because I want to look through them for some recipes that I need."

to remove items or obstacles, often to create a clear or open space

"Clear away the dirty plates."

"The waiter began to clear away the dirty plates after the guests had finished their main course."

to make something disappear instantly as if by magic

"The magician magicked away the rabbit."

"The magician seemed to magic away the coin from his hand and then pull it out of the child's ear."

to forcefully rip something or remove it from its place

"Tear away the poster."

"She had to tear away the old wallpaper before she could begin painting the room."

to get rid of what is not needed or wanted anymore

"He throws away the empty bottles."

"Do not throw away that old chair because I can repair it and make it look like new again."

to get rid of a mark or substance by using a cloth or hand

"Wipe away your tears now."

"She wiped away the tears from her eyes and tried to smile even though she was still very sad inside."

to remove something completely

"Strip away the unnecessary layers."

"The new law would strip away many of the protections currently enjoyed by workers and make it easier for companies to fire them."

to remove or clear something by using a strong burst of air or wind

"Blow away the leaves."

"The strong gust of wind from the hurricane managed to blow away all the loose debris."

to put something in a container or storage after using it, especially to keep it safe or for future use

"Pack away your toys."

"After the children finished playing, they were instructed to pack away all their toys neatly."

to place something where it should be after using it

"Put away your toys now."

"The child was asked to put away his toys in the box before dinner was served."