tone down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Make less intense or extreme
Why “down”? A level or amount becomes lower. This can happen to prices, sound, heat, or speed.
“Tone down the colours a bit.”
“The editor toned down the headline.”
Test yourself
“Tone down the colours a bit.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
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
drive down
Same down pattern: less
Cause prices, numbers or values to fall
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