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take down — 2 meanings

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

phrasal verb2 meanings
take down
remove from a high placewrite down information

Meaning 1 · most common

remove from a high place

  • take sth down

To remove something that is hanging or placed above you, such as a picture, shelf, or decoration.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Could you take down the clock from the wall for me?

A: The party's over. Should we take down the decorations now?
B: Yeah, let's get started before it gets too late.

Common mistake

Not: Can you take down it?

Say: Can you take it down?

With a pronoun the object goes in the middle — 'take it down', never 'take down it'.

More on “remove from a high place”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During the renovation, we had to take down all the shelves in the living room to paint the walls properly.

Tell it apart

Take the posters down.

  • remove from the wall

Put the posters up.

  • attach to the wall

Goes with

  • take down + thing on the wall
Practice saying this
Next meaning: write down information

Meaning 2

write down information

  • take sth down

To write information, notes, or details, especially when someone is speaking or giving instructions.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Let me take down your phone number so I don't forget it.

A: Did you take down everything the teacher said?
B: Yes, I wrote all the important points in my notebook.

Common mistake

Not: Give me a second to take down them.

Say: Give me a second to take them down.

With a pronoun object, put it in the middle — 'take them down', not 'take down them'.

More on “write down information”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In meetings, it's important to take down key ideas so you can remember them later.

Tell it apart

She took my number down.

  • wrote it down

She took the sign down.

  • removed it from the wall

Goes with

  • take down + info
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remove from a high placewrite down information