come down — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings

come down

1move from a higher to a lower place 2decrease in price or level

Meaning 1 · most common

move from a higher to a lower place

come down from/to/off sth

To move from a higher position to a lower one, either physically or metaphorically.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Could you come down from your room? Dinner is ready.

A: Where's Mia?
B: She's coming down the stairs now.

Common mistake

Not: Come down of the ladder, it's not safe.

Say: Come down from the ladder, it's not safe.

'Come down FROM' a high place, not 'of'.

More on “move from a higher to a lower place”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my hometown, the mountains are beautiful, and sometimes we come down from the hills to visit the city center.

Tell it apart

Come down, dinner's ready!

move to a lower floor

Come over, dinner's ready!

come to my place

Goes with

come down (from)

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Next meaning: decrease in price or level

Meaning 2

decrease in price or level

come down to/by amount

To become lower in amount, value, or level, especially prices or numbers.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The cost of smartphones has come down a lot in recent years.

A: Are flight tickets still expensive?
B: No, they've come down since last month.

Common mistake

Not: Prices have come down ~~with~~ 10%.

Say: Prices have come down by 10%.

Prices come down BY an amount, not 'with'.

More on “decrease in price or level”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If house prices come down, more young people will be able to afford their own homes.

Tell it apart

Prices have come down.

fallen on their own

They've brought prices down.

lowered them deliberately

Goes with

come down (in price)

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Pick a meaning and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

move from a higher to a lower place decrease in price or level