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turn down

to reject; to lower

In Phrasal Verbs

In more detail

1. (verb) to reduce the level or amount of something, such as sound or heat

2. (verb) to refuse an offer, invitation, or request

3. (verb) to fold down or flip down something

Examples

• 1. Can you turn down the volume on the TV?
• 2. She turned down the job offer because it didn't pay well.
• 3. He turned down the collar of his shirt.

How to use turn down

Turn down has three distinct uses: controlling levels or intensity (audio, temperature, brightness), politely refusing offers or invitations, and the physical action of folding or tilting something downward. The refusal sense is the most common in conversation and often carries a tone of politeness or regret. It can imply courtesy in social situations.

Common phrases

• turn down the volume
• turn down the heat
• turn down an offer
• turn down a job
• turn down the lights

Synonyms

lower · decrease · reduce · reject · decline

Opposites

turn up · accept · increase

Word family

turn · down

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 'turn down' (refuse) with 'turn off' (stop/disable), though these have different meanings in contexts like 'turn down a job' versus 'turn off an alarm'.

Nearby in Phrasal Verbs

take over, take up, touch on, turn out, turn up, watch out

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained