vote down
B2Formal (in parliamentary/committee contexts); Informal (in online/digital contexts).
Definition
Meaning
To reject or defeat a proposal, motion, or candidate through a formal voting process.
To express collective disapproval or rejection of an idea, suggestion, or digital content (e.g., online posts) via a downvoting mechanism.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily transitive phrasal verb. Implies a collective, formal decision against something. Often used in passive voice ('was voted down'). In digital contexts, it's more individual and informal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core parliamentary meaning. The digital 'downvote' usage originated more prominently in American tech culture (e.g., Reddit) but is now global.
Connotations
In formal settings, carries a decisive, procedural connotation. In online settings, can imply crowd-sourced disapproval or disagreement.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects for formal proceedings. The noun 'downvote' is slightly more frequent in American web English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: group/body] + vote down + [Object: proposal][Object: proposal] + be + voted down + (by group)[Subject: users] + vote + [Object: post] + downVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It got voted down in a heartbeat.”
- “The proposal was dead on arrival and quickly voted down.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board voted down the merger proposal due to financial risks.
Academic
The committee voted down the proposed change to the ethics protocol.
Everyday
We voted down the idea of a beach trip because of the forecast.
Technical
Users can vote down inaccurate answers to improve content quality.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council voted down the development plans.
- MPs voted the amendment down by a large majority.
American English
- The Senate voted down the bill 52-48.
- I tend to vote down comments that spread misinformation.
adverb
British English
- (Not used as adverb)
American English
- (Not used as adverb)
adjective
British English
- The voted-down proposal was sent back for review.
- (Rare as adjective) A vote-down option is available.
American English
- The voted-down initiative won't be reconsidered this year.
- The downvote button is on the left.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The class voted down the game. We will play another one.
- They voted down my suggestion for the office party.
- The proposal to increase fees was voted down by the student union.
- Despite the CEO's advocacy, the controversial measure was resoundingly voted down by the shareholders.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a thumbs-down icon (👎) next to a ballot box. To VOTE something DOWN is to give it a thumbs-down.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECISION IS A DIRECTION (down = negative/rejection).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as "голосовать низко" which is meaningless. Use "отклонить голосованием" or "проголосовать против". For online context, "задавить минусами" or "поставить дислайк" is colloquial.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: They voted down against the plan. (Correct: They voted down the plan.)
- Incorrect: I voted down his comment. (Possible but ambiguous without digital context; better: I downvoted his comment.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'vote down' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is formal in legislative/committee contexts. In online contexts (e.g., 'downvote'), it's informal.
'Vote down' specifies the means of rejection—a formal vote. 'Reject' is more general.
In a formal voting body, no—it requires a collective. Online, one user can 'downvote' (verb) a single post.
It's always 'voted down' (e.g., 'They voted it down yesterday'). 'Downed' is incorrect here.