wind-down
B1-B2Neutral to informal. Common in spoken and written English.
Definition
Meaning
To gradually relax or reduce activity, especially after a period of work or stress.
To bring something to a gradual, orderly conclusion; to reduce the intensity or operation of something over time.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb, used both transitively (e.g., wind down the meeting) and intransitively (e.g., I need to wind down). The core image is of a clock or mechanical device slowing before stopping.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and word choice in examples may vary (e.g., 'holiday' vs. 'vacation').
Connotations
Equally common and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + wind down (intransitive)[Subject] + wind down + [Object] (transitive)[Subject] + wind down + [Object] + after/before + [Event]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The curtain comes down on... (for concluding events)”
- “Put one's feet up (for relaxing)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for describing the gradual conclusion of projects, closure of departments, or reduction of market activity. 'The board decided to wind down its operations in the region.'
Academic
Less common, but can be used metaphorically for concluding arguments or research phases.
Everyday
Very common for describing post-work relaxation or ending social gatherings. 'Let's wind down with a cup of tea.'
Technical
Used literally for mechanical processes, e.g., winding down a turbine or engine.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I like to wind down with a book after the kids are in bed.
- The government plans to wind down the subsidy scheme over two years.
American English
- She winds down by going for a run after work.
- The company is winding down its manufacturing plant in Ohio.
adverb
British English
- *Rarely used as a pure adverb. Grammatically awkward.*
American English
- *Rarely used as a pure adverb. Grammatically awkward.*
adjective
British English
- We had a lovely wind-down evening after the conference. (colloquial, hyphenated)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I watch TV to wind down.
- The party started to wind down after midnight.
- After a long day at work, it's important to find a way to wind down.
- They are winding down production at the old factory.
- The diplomat's visit helped to wind down tensions between the two countries.
- The charity is winding down its operations after achieving its goal.
- A complex legal and financial process will be required to wind down the insolvent corporation in an orderly fashion.
- The pianist's final, languid notes served to wind down the recital perfectly.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an old-fashioned clock that needs its spring WOUND DOWN to stop. Your body and mind also need to be WOUND DOWN to stop being tense.
Conceptual Metaphor
Activity/Stress is a wound-up spring or clockwork mechanism. Relaxation/Conclusion is the unwinding of that mechanism.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not the same as 'to break down' (ломаться).
- Do not confuse with 'wind' as in 'wind the clock' (заводить), which is the opposite action.
- Avoid translating as 'снижать ветер' – it's metaphorical.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'wind down' as a noun without a hyphen (e.g., 'the wind down' should be 'the wind-down').
- Confusing 'wind' (air) /wɪnd/ with 'wind' (to turn) /waɪnd/ in pronunciation.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'wind down' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a verb, it is two words: 'wind down'. As a noun or adjective, it is usually hyphenated: 'a wind-down period', 'the corporate wind-down'.
'Relax' is a general state. 'Wind down' implies a process of becoming relaxed, often after specific activity or stress, and can also apply to concluding activities (e.g., winding down a business).
It is pronounced /waɪnd/ (like 'find' or 'kind'), not /wɪnd/ (like the moving air). This is the same as in 'wind up a clock'.
Yes, it is acceptable in formal business contexts when describing the phased cessation of operations, projects, or initiatives.