come down
phrasal verb·6 senses·particle down
Meanings
Drop from a high level it has been at
Why “down”? When there is less of something, it goes down. Prices, sound, heat and speed all work this way.
“House prices have come down lately.”
“The fever came down overnight.”
Move to a lower level, price or position
Why “down”? Movement goes from high to low.
“Prices have come down.”
“The water level came down after the flood.”
Have been passed down from earlier generations
“This story has come down through the family.”
“The ring came down from her grandmother.”
Decide in favour of one side after consideration
Why “down”? Strong feelings or energy become lower and calmer.
“She came down on the side of caution.”
“The judge came down on the side of the tenant.”
Become ill with a particular illness
“He's come down with the flu.”
“Mia came down with a cold.”
(of rain, snow or hail) fall
“The rain came down heavily.”
“Snow came down all afternoon.”
Don't confuse with
Come down means drop to a lower level. Come up means arise as a topic or event.
Test yourself
“House prices have come down lately.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
come up
A contrast learners often mix up
Arise as a topic or event
bear down
Same down pattern: downward
Move quickly and threateningly toward someone
beat down
Same down pattern: downward
(of sun or rain) fall strongly and steadily
bend down
Same down pattern: downward
Lean the upper body downward
blow down
Same down pattern: downward
Cause something to fall by blowing
break down
Same down pattern: downward
(of a vehicle or machine) stop working; Lose emotional control and start crying; Separate something into smaller parts to understand it; (of negotiations or relationships) fail or end; Force a door open by hitting it; Decompose into simpler chemical substances
bring down
Same down pattern: downward
Cause something to fall or land; Make something lower in level or amount; Cause a government or leader to lose power; Make someone feel sad or depressed
calm down
Same down pattern: calming
Become or make less excited or angry
Practice “come down” in Sink In
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