turn down

/tɜːrn daʊn/phrasal verb
to refuse or reject an offer or request

She turned down the job offer because it didn't pay enough.

She rejected the job offer because the salary was insufficient.


informal

to reject or refuse an offer, request, or invitation

He turned down the invitation to the party.

He declined the invitation to the party.

The bank turned down her loan application.

The bank rejected her loan application.

Often used in informal contexts to indicate refusal politely.

informal

to reduce the volume or intensity of something

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

Could you reduce the volume of the music? It's too loud.

She turned down the heat because it was too warm.

She lowered the temperature because it was too warm.

Commonly used when adjusting volume, temperature, or other levels.

Collocations

turn down an offerto reject an offerturn down the volumeto reduce the volume

Related Phrases

turn upphrasal verb
to increase volume or intensity
turn offphrasal verb
to switch something off

Pro Tip

Context Matters

The meaning of 'turn down' depends on whether it refers to people (refusal) or objects (reduction).

Gold Rule

Polite Refusal

Use 'turn down' to politely reject offers or requests.

Word Origin

The phrase 'turn down' combines the verb 'turn' (to change direction or position) with the adverb 'down' (indicating reduction or refusal).

Usage Notes

The meaning depends on context: refusal (people) or reduction (volume, temperature).

Word Breakdown

turn
to change direction or position
verb
+
down
indicating reduction or refusal
adverb
English Dictionary