howl down: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Advanced, Low frequency)Formal, journalistic, political discourse.
Quick answer
What does “howl down” mean?
To shout loudly and aggressively in order to prevent someone from being heard, usually as an expression of strong disapproval.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To shout loudly and aggressively in order to prevent someone from being heard, usually as an expression of strong disapproval.
To overwhelm and silence a speaker through loud, collective vocal opposition, often in a public or political setting. It can also imply a figurative 'drowning out' of an idea or argument through vehement criticism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used and reported in British political/journalistic contexts. In the US, 'shout down' is significantly more frequent.
Connotations
Both carry the same negative connotation of mob-like behaviour. 'Howl down' may sound slightly more literary or vivid.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but higher relative frequency in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “howl down” in a Sentence
[Subject: Group] howl down [Object: Speaker/Proposal][Speaker/Proposal] be howled down (by [Group])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “howl down” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister was howled down by an angry crowd at the town hall meeting.
- Backbench MPs attempted to howl down the Prime Minister during the debate.
American English
- The controversial speaker was nearly howled down at the university forum.
- Protesters tried to howl down the CEO's announcement about the factory closure.
adverb
British English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
American English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
adjective
British English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
American English
- N/A for this phrasal verb.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might describe shareholders shouting down a CEO's unpopular proposal at an AGM.
Academic
Very rare. Could be used metaphorically in social sciences to describe the suppression of dissenting theories.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Not typical conversational language.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “howl down”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “howl down”
- Incorrect: *'They howled down on the politician.' (Correct: 'They howled down the politician.')
- Incorrect: *'The idea was howled.' (Must include particle 'down': 'The idea was howled down.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Boo' is a specific sound of disapproval. 'Howl down' is the sustained, loud act of using such noises (which may include boos, shouts, jeers) to silence someone completely.
It's very uncommon. The verb strongly implies a collective action by a group (a crowd, an audience, a faction). A single person would 'shout at' or 'interrupt', not 'howl down'.
They are near synonyms. 'Howl down' is more vivid and metaphorical, comparing the crowd to howling animals. 'Shout down' is more literal and common, especially in American English.
It is formal or journalistic. You would read it in a news report about a political event, not use it in casual conversation about someone interrupting you.
To shout loudly and aggressively in order to prevent someone from being heard, usually as an expression of strong disapproval.
Howl down: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊl daʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊl daʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A howl of protest/dissent (related noun phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a pack of wolves HOWLing so loudly that the moon (or a speaker) is forced DOWN from the sky.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISAPPROVAL/OPPOSITION IS ANIMAL NOISE (howling). SILENCING IS FORCING DOWNWARDS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'howl down' MOST appropriately used?