down Definition
- 1toward or in a lower place or position
- 2reduced to a lower or weaker state
- 3moving from a higher to a lower level or position
Using down: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "down" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She walked down the stairs.
Example
The stock market is down today.
Example
He put the book down on the table.
Example
The sun went down behind the mountains.
down Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for down
- beneath
- depressed
- discouraged
- deflated
- diminished
- lower
- under
- sad
- unhappy
- reduced
Antonyms for down
- above
- cheerful
- encouraged
- up
- higher
- happy
- optimistic
- inflated
- increased
Idioms Using down
get down to business
to start focusing on the important task at hand
Example
We need to get down to business and finish this project by the deadline.
bring someone down
to make someone feel sad or depressed
Example
The bad news really brought her down.
let someone down
to disappoint someone
Example
I'm sorry I let you down. I'll try to do better next time.
Phrases with down
down and out
without any money or prospects; destitute
Example
After losing his job, he became down and out.
down the drain
wasted or lost
Example
All of our hard work went down the drain when the project was cancelled.
down to earth
practical and realistic
Example
She's a down-to-earth person who doesn't get caught up in drama.
Summary: down in Brief
The word 'down' [daʊn] can be used as an adverb, adjective, or preposition. It generally refers to a lower position or state, such as 'She walked down the stairs.' or 'The stock market is down today.' It also has idiomatic uses, such as 'get down to business,' meaning to focus on an important task, and 'let someone down,' meaning to disappoint someone.