slow down
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle down
Meanings
Become or make less fast
Why “down”? A level or amount becomes lower. This can happen to prices, sound, heat, or speed.
“Slow down. There's a bend ahead.”
“The driver slowed down near the school.”
“You need to slow down before the curve.”
“Leo felt the train slow down near the seaside station.”
Live or work at a less hectic pace
“His doctor told him to slow down.”
“She slowed down after years of long hours.”
Don't confuse with
Slow down means become or make less fast. Slow up means reduce speed or pace.
Test yourself
“Slow down. There's a bend ahead.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
slow up
A contrast learners often mix up
Reduce speed or pace
bring down
Same down pattern: less
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
come down
Same down pattern: less
Drop from a high level it has been at; Have been passed down from earlier generations; Decide in favour of one side after consideration; Become ill with a particular illness; (of rain, snow or hail) fall
cool down
Same down pattern: less
Become or make less hot; Become calmer after anger or excitement; Do gentle exercise after a hard workout
count down
Same down pattern: less
Count backwards to zero before an event
cut down
Same down pattern: less
Reduce the amount of something; Fell a tree by cutting at its base; Kill or seriously injure many people quickly
die down
Same down pattern: less
Feelings or excitement gradually become calmer; Become less strong, loud or active
dress down
Same down pattern: less
Wear less formal clothes than usual
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