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shut down — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings
shut down
close a business or systemstop talking or reacting emotionallydismiss an argument

Meaning 1 · most common

close a business or system

  • shut down sth

To stop operating a business, machine, or system, either temporarily or permanently.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The company had to shut down its factory due to financial problems.

A: Why is the café dark today?
B: They shut down last week. Business was really slow.

Common mistake

Not: The power cut shut down it.

Say: The power cut shut it down.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'shut it down', never 'shut down it'.

More on “close a business or system”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If my favorite local shop shut down, I would miss it a lot because I go there almost every day.

Tell it apart

They shut the plant down.

  • closed the business

He shut down when I asked.

  • went quiet emotionally

Goes with

  • shut down + thing
Practice saying this
Next meaning: stop talking or reacting emotionally

Meaning 2

stop talking or reacting emotionally

  • informal

To stop communicating or showing emotions, often because of stress or discomfort.

How oftenNow and then
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Whenever the topic gets personal, he tends to shut down and avoid eye contact.

A: Are you okay? You’ve been really quiet.
B: Sorry, I just shut down when I get overwhelmed.

Common mistake

Not: She shut down herself when she got upset.

Say: She shut down when she got upset.

In this sense it's intransitive — you don't 'shut down' yourself.

More on “stop talking or reacting emotionally”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Some people shut down during arguments because they find it hard to express their emotions.

Tell it apart

He shuts down when we argue.

  • goes quiet, withdraws

He shut the laptop down.

  • turned it off

Goes with

  • shut down + trigger
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Next meaning: dismiss an argument

Meaning 3

dismiss an argument

  • shut down sth sth
  • informal

To reject, silence, or abruptly end someone’s point or contribution in a discussion, often without giving it fair consideration.

How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Whenever someone challenges his ideas, he tends to shut them down before they can finish explaining.

A: I tried to suggest a different approach in the meeting, but Sarah just shut me down.
B: That's frustrating. She should at least listen to your reasoning.

Common mistake

Not: He shut down me in the meeting.

Say: He shut me down in the meeting.

With a person or pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'shut me down'.

More on “dismiss an argument”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In group discussions, it is important not to shut down alternative viewpoints, as this can hinder creative problem-solving.

Tell it apart

She shut me down before I finished.

  • dismissed my point

She shut the machine down.

  • turned it off

Goes with

  • shut down + person/idea
Practice saying this
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close a business or systemstop talking or reacting emotionallydismiss an argument