Commonly confused

Go up vs Go down

Go up” and “Go down” look alike but pull in different directions. Here is what each one means, with examples — and the difference that learners most often miss.

The key difference

Go down means drop in price or amount. Go up means rise in price or amount.

go up

  1. 1

    Rise in price or amount

    Rents have gone up again.

Full meaning of go up

go down

  1. 1

    Become lower in amount or number

    Petrol prices have gone down again.

Full meaning of go down

Stop mixing them up

Sink In turns confusable pairs like this into quick contrast drills, so the right particle becomes automatic.