What are the definitions of “take down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Make notes or write down in full.
The police TOOK DOWN his answers to their questions.
- 2Remove.
People TAKE DOWN their Christmas decorations twelve days after Christmas.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “take down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb take down is to remove something from a higher position or to dismantle something. For example, it can mean taking down decorations, removing a poster from a wall, or disassembling a structure.
What are the different verb forms of “take down”?
| Root Verb | take down |
| Third Person Singular Present | takes down |
| Present Participle | taking down |
| Simple Past | took down |
| Past Participle | taken down |
Example
Please take down the old calendar from the wall.
Example
She takes down the laundry from the clothesline.
Example
He is taking down the shelves in the garage.
Example
Yesterday, they took down the tent after the party.
Example
The old building was taken down to make room for a new one.
What kind of phrasal verb is “take down”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“take down” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She took down the poster from the wall.
Example
He took the decorations down after the holidays.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“take down” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She took down the poster from the wall.
Example
He took the decorations down after the holidays.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “take down”?
Take down notes
To write down information, especially during a lecture or a meeting.
Example
She took down notes during the presentation to remember the key points.
Take someone down a peg or two
To make someone feel less arrogant or self-important.
Example
His boss took him down a peg or two when he criticized his work in front of everyone.
Take down a website
To remove a website from the internet, often due to legal or technical reasons.
Example
The authorities took down the illegal streaming site to protect copyrighted content.
Good things to know
Does “take down” have an informal or formal tone?
Take down is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, such as in business meetings or academic lectures, when discussing note-taking or dismantling structures.
