In 15 Seconds
- Use it to reduce prices, levels, or intensity.
- Works for both physical objects and abstract feelings.
- Can be separated: 'bring it down' or 'bring down the cost'.
Meaning
You use this when you want to make something lower in amount, level, or intensity. It is like turning a dial down on a radio or asking someone to lower a price.
Key Examples
3 of 6Negotiating at a market
Can you bring down the price a little bit?
Can you lower the price a little bit?
In a business meeting
We need to bring down our monthly expenses.
We need to reduce our monthly expenses.
Texting a friend about a loud party
The music is way too loud, tell them to bring it down!
The music is too loud, tell them to lower it!
Cultural Background
In British politics, 'bringing down the government' is a very serious phrase often associated with a 'Vote of No Confidence.' The 'Tall Poppy Syndrome' is a cultural tendency to 'bring down' people who are too successful or proud. In the entertainment industry, 'bring the house down' is a high compliment for a performer. The phrase is universally used in corporate English to discuss 'Cost Reduction Strategies.'
Use it for Fevers
In English, we almost always 'bring down' a fever. It sounds much more natural than 'reduce my temperature' in a casual setting.
The Pronoun Trap
Never say 'bring down it.' Always 'bring it down.' This is the most common mistake for B1 learners.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to reduce prices, levels, or intensity.
- Works for both physical objects and abstract feelings.
- Can be separated: 'bring it down' or 'bring down the cost'.
What It Means
Bring down is a versatile tool in your English toolkit. At its heart, it means to reduce something. Think of it as a downward arrow. You can use it for numbers like prices or taxes. You can also use it for feelings or energy levels. It is about making something less than it was before.
How To Use It
This phrase is a 'separable' phrasal verb. This means you can put the object in the middle or at the end. You can say bring down the prices or bring the prices down. Both are perfect. If you use a pronoun like 'it', you must put it in the middle: bring it down. It works for physical things and abstract ideas alike.
When To Use It
You will use this constantly in daily life. Use it when you are shopping and want a discount. Use it in a meeting when discussing costs. It is also great for atmosphere. If a party is too loud, you bring down the volume. If someone is too excited, you might bring them down to earth. It is a very practical, action-oriented phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you mean someone is literally falling. If a person trips, they 'fall down', they don't bring down. Also, be careful with people's moods. While bring down can mean to make someone sad, it is quite heavy. If you just want to say someone is a bit quiet, this might be too strong. Avoid it in very poetic or ancient settings where 'reduce' or 'lower' sounds more elegant.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, there is a big focus on 'getting a deal'. People love to bring down the price of a car or a house. It feels like a victory. There is also a cultural concept of the 'buzzkill'. This is someone who brings down the mood of a party. We value high energy, so 'bringing down' the vibe is usually seen as a negative thing unless things are getting out of control.
Common Variations
You might hear bring the house down. This is actually a good thing! It means a performance was so great the audience cheered loudly. Another one is bring someone down a notch. This means humbling someone who is acting too proud. It’s like a little reality check for their ego.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral phrase suitable for almost any situation. Just remember to separate the verb when using pronouns (it/them).
Use it for Fevers
In English, we almost always 'bring down' a fever. It sounds much more natural than 'reduce my temperature' in a casual setting.
The Pronoun Trap
Never say 'bring down it.' Always 'bring it down.' This is the most common mistake for B1 learners.
Mood Matters
Be careful telling someone 'You're bringing me down.' It can sound quite rude or confrontational. Use it with close friends only.
Examples
6Can you bring down the price a little bit?
Can you lower the price a little bit?
Very common in shopping and bargaining.
We need to bring down our monthly expenses.
We need to reduce our monthly expenses.
Professional way to discuss cutting costs.
The music is way too loud, tell them to bring it down!
The music is too loud, tell them to lower it!
Refers to volume or intensity.
Okay, Superman, let's bring you down to earth for a second.
Okay, Superman, let's get you back to reality.
A humorous way to tell someone to stop bragging.
That ending really brought me down.
That ending really made me feel sad.
Used to describe an emotional shift to sadness.
This medicine should bring down your temperature.
This medicine should lower your temperature.
Commonly used in medical or health contexts.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'bring down'.
The doctor gave me some medicine to _______ my fever.
We use the base form 'bring down' after 'to' in an infinitive of purpose.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
The news was so sad...
When the object is a pronoun (me), it must go between 'brought' and 'down'.
Match the context with the meaning of 'bring down'.
Contexts: 1. A high price, 2. A loud radio, 3. A corrupt leader, 4. A sad story
These are the four primary figurative senses of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'I can't believe the rent is $2000!' B: 'I know, we should ask the landlord if he can _______.'
'Bring it down' is the natural way to refer to reducing the rent (it).
In which situation would you NOT use 'bring down'?
Choose the incorrect situation.
You 'go down' or 'walk down' stairs; you don't 'bring down' yourself.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Bring Down: Common Objects
Practice Bank
5 exercisesThe doctor gave me some medicine to _______ my fever.
We use the base form 'bring down' after 'to' in an infinitive of purpose.
The news was so sad...
When the object is a pronoun (me), it must go between 'brought' and 'down'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the four primary figurative senses of the phrase.
A: 'I can't believe the rent is $2000!' B: 'I know, we should ask the landlord if he can _______.'
'Bring it down' is the natural way to refer to reducing the rent (it).
Choose the incorrect situation.
You 'go down' or 'walk down' stairs; you don't 'bring down' yourself.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is acceptable, but 'reduce' or 'decrease' is often preferred for a more professional tone.
No, you cannot 'bring down' a person's height. You would say 'he got shorter' or 'his height decreased.'
'Lower' is a single verb and slightly more formal. 'Bring down' is a phrasal verb and very common in spoken English.
Yes, it can mean to cause a plane to crash or land, often used in military or accident contexts.
Yes, but it's informal. It refers to something that causes disappointment or sadness.
The past tense is 'brought down.' Example: 'The storm brought down the power lines.'
Yes, it's common to say 'I'm trying to bring my weight down' through diet and exercise.
No. 'Put down' usually means to place something on a surface or to insult someone.
Yes, a virus can 'bring down' a website or a server, meaning it stops working.
Not always. Bringing down a fever or bringing down a high price is very positive!
Related Phrases
cut down on
similarTo reduce the consumption of something.
bring the house down
builds onTo receive great applause.
bring someone down a peg
specialized formTo humble someone.
lower
synonymTo make something less high.
knock down
similarTo demolish or hit something so it falls.
