In 15 Seconds
- To reject an offer, invitation, or application politely.
- To decrease the volume, heat, or intensity of something.
- A common phrasal verb used in both business and social life.
Meaning
When you say no to an offer, an invitation, or a job. It also means lowering the volume or heat of something.
Key Examples
3 of 6Refusing a job offer
I had to turn down the job because the commute was too long.
I had to refuse the job because the commute was too long.
Asking a roommate to lower the music
Can you please turn down the volume? I am trying to sleep.
Can you please lower the volume? I am trying to sleep.
Declining a date via text
He asked me out, but I turned him down gently.
He asked me out, but I rejected him gently.
Cultural Background
In the US, turning down a job offer is expected to be direct but appreciative. It's common to send a 'thank you' note even when turning down the offer. Directly using 'turn down' (or its equivalent) can be seen as too blunt. Japanese speakers of English might use more indirect language to avoid conflict. British culture often uses 'understatement' when turning things down. They might say 'I'm not sure it's quite right for me' instead of a hard 'I turn it down.' Social invitations are often 'turned down' very softly to avoid hurting feelings, sometimes by saying 'maybe' when the answer is actually 'no.'
The Pronoun Rule
Always put 'it', 'me', 'him', 'her', or 'them' in the middle. 'Turn it down' is the only way!
Turn Down vs. Turn Off
Don't say 'turn down' if you want the power to go off completely. You'll just end up with a very quiet TV!
In 15 Seconds
- To reject an offer, invitation, or application politely.
- To decrease the volume, heat, or intensity of something.
- A common phrasal verb used in both business and social life.
What It Means
Turn down is a versatile phrasal verb. Most often, it means to reject or refuse something. Imagine someone hands you a gift or a job offer. If you say no, you turn it down. It also has a physical meaning. Think of an old radio dial. You rotate it downward to lower the sound. So, it means saying 'no' or making something 'less'.
How To Use It
This phrase is 'separable'. This means you can put the object in the middle. You can say turn down the music or turn the music down. If you use a pronoun like 'it', it must go in the middle. You must say turn it down. It sounds natural in almost any conversation. Use it for job offers, dates, or volume levels.
When To Use It
Use it when you need to be firm but polite. At work, you might turn down a promotion. At a party, you might ask a friend to turn down the speakers. It is perfect for social invitations you cannot attend. It feels more active than just saying 'refuse'. It implies a choice was made.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for people in a cruel way. You turn down an offer, not usually a person's soul. Avoid it in very legal documents. Lawyers prefer the word reject or decline. Also, don't use it for switching things off. That is turn off. Turn down only means making it lower, not stopping it entirely.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the era of physical dials and knobs. To lower the gas on a stove, you literally turned a valve down. In social terms, it reflects a sense of 'lowering' an offer's priority. In modern pop culture, the song 'Turn Down for What' changed the vibe. There, it means to stop partying or 'sober up'.
Common Variations
Turned down is the past tense for that job you didn't get. Turning down is the act of refusing right now. You might hear a turn-down, which is a noun. In fancy hotels, turn-down service is when they prep your bed for sleep. It is a busy little phrase!
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and very common in daily life. Just remember the 'separable' rule: pronouns must go in the middle (`turn it down`).
The Pronoun Rule
Always put 'it', 'me', 'him', 'her', or 'them' in the middle. 'Turn it down' is the only way!
Turn Down vs. Turn Off
Don't say 'turn down' if you want the power to go off completely. You'll just end up with a very quiet TV!
Softening the Blow
When turning down an offer, start with 'I'd love to, but...' or 'I appreciate it, but...' to sound more polite.
Temperature too!
You can turn down the AC or the heater, not just the volume.
Examples
6I had to turn down the job because the commute was too long.
I had to refuse the job because the commute was too long.
Commonly used for professional rejections.
Can you please turn down the volume? I am trying to sleep.
Can you please lower the volume? I am trying to sleep.
Refers to physical intensity or sound.
He asked me out, but I turned him down gently.
He asked me out, but I rejected him gently.
Used for social or romantic rejections.
I never turn down a free pizza, no matter how full I am!
I never refuse a free pizza, no matter how full I am!
Shows enthusiasm by saying you won't reject something.
It was heartbreaking when my dream university turned me down.
It was heartbreaking when my dream university rejected me.
Expresses the emotional weight of rejection.
The board decided to turn down the merger proposal.
The board decided to reject the merger proposal.
Fits well in professional settings for official decisions.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'turn down'. Remember the pronoun rule!
The music was too loud, so I ________.
Since 'it' is a pronoun, it must go in the middle of the phrasal verb.
Which sentence uses 'turn down' to mean 'reject'?
Choose the correct sentence:
In this context, 'turned down' means she rejected the job offer.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Did you accept the invitation to the gala? B: No, I had to ________ because I'm traveling that weekend.
'Turn it down' is the correct way to say you rejected the invitation.
Match the action to the meaning of 'turn down'.
Action: A hotel maid folding the sheets.
In hotels, 'turn down' refers to preparing the bed for the guest.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesThe music was too loud, so I ________.
Since 'it' is a pronoun, it must go in the middle of the phrasal verb.
Choose the correct sentence:
In this context, 'turned down' means she rejected the job offer.
A: Did you accept the invitation to the gala? B: No, I had to ________ because I'm traveling that weekend.
'Turn it down' is the correct way to say you rejected the invitation.
Action: A hotel maid folding the sheets.
In hotels, 'turn down' refers to preparing the bed for the guest.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's better to say 'turn the person down.' For example: 'I had to turn him down.'
No, it's neutral. However, how you say it matters. Adding 'I'm sorry' makes it polite.
It's when hotel staff prepare your bed for sleep, usually by folding the corner of the blanket.
No, you would say 'Could you speak more quietly?' or 'Turn your voice down' (though the latter is rare).
'Decline' is more formal. Use 'turn down' in daily conversation and 'decline' in formal emails.
No, but you can 'turn down the blinds' or 'close the curtains' to block the sun.
It's a slang expression meaning 'Why should I stop partying or lower my energy?'
Yes, you can 'turn down an offer' on a house or a car if the price is too low.
The past tense is 'turned down.' The 'ed' goes on the verb 'turn.'
Metaphorically, yes, you can 'turn down the intensity' of your emotions, but it's not a common phrase.
Related Phrases
pass up
similarTo decline an opportunity
turn up
contrastTo increase volume or arrive
decline
synonymTo politely say no
reject
synonymTo refuse to accept
