turn down
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle down
Meanings
Reject or refuse an offer or request
Why “down”? A structure, a system, or someone's mood can go down when it fails.
“Maya turned down the cafe worker's offer of a larger drink at the counter.”
“She turned down the job.”
“He turned down the invitation.”
“They turned down my request.”
Lower the volume, heat or intensity of a device
Why “down”? A level or amount becomes lower. This can happen to prices, sound, heat, or speed.
“Turn the music down.”
“Can you turn the heating down?”
“The soup is boiling too fast, so turn the heat down.”
Fold or pull bedding so it is ready to sleep in
Why “down”? Movement goes from high to low.
“She turned down the bed for the guest.”
“The hotel turned down our beds.”
“A hotel worker turned down Maya's bed while she ate at the seaside restaurant.”
Common mistake
He turned down to the offer.
He turned down the offer.
Turn down takes the object directly — no to.
Natural collocations
The word partners “turn down” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“Maya turned down the cafe worker's offer of a larger drink at the counter.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
turn away
A contrast learners often mix up
Refuse to allow someone to enter; Move your face or eyes from someone or something
turn up
A contrast learners often mix up
Increase the setting on a machine or device; Appear, often unexpectedly
back down
Same down pattern: losing
Withdraw from a position
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: losing
(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
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “turn down”.
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