wind down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Relax after activity
Why “down”? Strong feelings or energy become lower and calmer.
“Leo wound down with quiet music after the evening chores.”
“She winds down with music before bed.”
“Maya wound down in the seaside hotel after the train journey.”
Common mistake
I need to wind up after work.
I need to wind down after work.
Relax = wind down; finish or end up = wind up.
Natural collocations
The word partners “wind down” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“Leo wound down with quiet music after the evening chores.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
wind back
A contrast learners often mix up
Reverse to replay an earlier moment
wind up
A contrast learners often mix up
Conclude or settle a matter
calm down
Same down pattern: calming
Become or make less excited or angry
come down
Same down pattern: calming
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: calming
Become or make less hot; Become calmer after anger or excitement; Do gentle exercise after a hard workout
die down
Same down pattern: calming
Feelings or excitement gradually become calmer; Become less strong, loud or active
get down
Same down pattern: calming
Descend or lower yourself; Depress someone emotionally; Capture in writing or recording; Swallow food, drink, or medicine, especially with difficulty; Begin to focus seriously on a task
quiet down
Same down pattern: calming
Become silent or peaceful
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “wind down”.
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice “wind down” in Sink In
Drill “wind down” and 1,300+ other phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by the particle patterns that connect them.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
