turn down — 2 meanings

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

phrasal verb2 meanings

turn down

1reject 2reduce volume or heat

Meaning 1 · most common

reject

turn down sth

to refuse an offer, invitation, or request.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

He turned down the invitation to the party because he was too tired.

A: Did you get the job you applied for?
B: They offered it to me, but I turned it down.

Common mistake

Not: They turned down me for the role.

Say: They turned me down for the role.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'turn me down'.

More on “reject”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I were offered a job abroad, I would probably turn it down because I want to stay close to my family.

Tell it apart

She turned down the promotion.

rejected it

Could you turn down the music?

lower the volume

Goes with

turn down + offer

Practice saying this

Next meaning: reduce volume or heat

Meaning 2

reduce volume or heat

turn down sth

to make something, like the sound or heat, lower or less strong.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Could you turn down the music? It's too loud.

A: It's getting really hot in here.
B: I'll turn down the heating.

Common mistake

Not: Can you turn ~~down it?~~

Say: Can you turn it down?

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'turn it down'.

More on “reduce volume or heat”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When I study, I always turn down the volume on my phone so I can concentrate better.

Tell it apart

Turn the music down.

lower the volume

She turned down the offer.

rejected it

Goes with

turn down + level

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reject reduce volume or heat