turn down
B1Neutral to Informal
Definition
Meaning
To reduce the intensity, volume, or level of something; to reject an offer or proposal.
Can refer to physically adjusting a dial or control (e.g., volume, heat), metaphorically decreasing intensity (e.g., enthusiasm), or formally declining an invitation, request, or opportunity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The phrasal verb has two distinct but related senses: 1) the literal act of rotating a control to a lower setting, 2) the figurative act of refusing or declining. The connection lies in the concept of moving something to a lower state or position.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. 'Turn down' is standard in both varieties for both senses. The 'reject' sense might be slightly more frequent in business contexts globally.
Connotations
Neutral for the 'reduce' sense. For the 'reject' sense, it can sometimes carry a mild nuance of disappointment or formality depending on context.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties. No significant disparity.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] turn down [Object: thing/offer][Subject] turn [Object: thing] downVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Turn down the heat (on someone) = reduce pressure or criticism.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Commonly used when declining a business proposal, merger offer, or job application. 'The board decided to turn down the acquisition offer.'
Academic
Less frequent; may appear in social science texts discussing rejection or in instructions. 'Participants were allowed to turn down the invitation.'
Everyday
Very common for adjusting appliances and declining social plans. 'Can you turn down the TV? I turned down the party invite.'
Technical
Used in audio engineering, HVAC, and interface design contexts for control functions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you turn down the heating a bit?
- She had to turn down the promotion due to family commitments.
- The council turned down the planning application.
American English
- Can you turn down the AC?
- He turned down the scholarship to attend a different school.
- The studio turned down his script.
adverb
British English
- This path leads turn-down to the river. (archaic/rare)
American English
- He looked turn-down the street. (archaic/rare)
adjective
British English
- The turn-down service at the hotel was excellent.
- He wore a turn-down collar.
American English
- The hotel's turn-down service included chocolates.
- A classic turn-down collar shirt.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please turn down the music.
- I will turn down the volume.
- It's too hot. Turn down the heater.
- She turned down the job because the salary was too low.
- He turned the radio down when the phone rang.
- Can you turn down the brightness on your screen?
- Despite the attractive package, she decided to turn down the offer from the rival firm.
- The government is under pressure to turn down the rhetoric to ease tensions.
- You can turn the thermostat down by five degrees to save energy.
- The committee was inclined to turn down the proposal on ethical grounds, despite its potential profitability.
- Having turned down numerous lucrative deals, the artist maintained strict creative control over her work.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a volume knob: you TURN it DOWN to make it quieter. Similarly, you 'turn down' an offer by pushing it to a lower level of acceptance.
Conceptual Metaphor
REJECTION IS A DOWNWARD MOTION / LESS IS DOWN.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'turn *off*' (выключить). 'Turn down' only reduces, it doesn't stop.
- The 'reject' sense (отклонить, отказать) is distinct from the physical 'reduce' sense (убавить, сделать тише).
- Avoid a word-for-word translation. 'Turn down the music' is not *'повернуть вниз музыку'. It's 'сделать музыку тише' or 'убавить музыку'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'turn down' to mean 'turn off' (e.g., 'Turn down the light' instead of 'Turn off the light').
- Incorrect particle order (e.g., 'He turned down it' instead of 'He turned it down').
- Confusing 'turn down' (reject) with 'turn *up*' (appear or increase).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'turn down' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'turn down the offer' or 'turn the offer down'. With pronouns, you must separate: 'turn it down'.
'Turn down' is often less formal and less harsh than 'reject'. 'Refuse' is more direct and can be used with people ('refuse someone'), while 'turn down' usually takes things ('turn down something').
Not directly. You turn down an offer or invitation *from* a person. Saying 'I turned him down' is common, but it's short for 'I turned down his offer/advance'.
The noun is 'turn-down', as in 'We received a turn-down from the bank'. However, 'rejection' or 'refusal' is more common. 'Turn-down' as a noun is also used for hotel bed preparation service.