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amp down

C1 informal separable both
In simple words

Make something less loud, intense, or exciting.

Literal meaning: To turn an amplifier down to reduce the sound.

Meanings

1 C1 informal

To reduce the volume or power output of an amplifier or sound system.

"The sound engineer amped down the bass before the singer took the stage."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 idiomatic informal

To become or make something less intense, energetic, or excited.

"You need to amp down a bit — the meeting hasn't even started yet."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Less common than 'amp up'. Used in both audio contexts (reducing amplifier volume) and figurative contexts (reducing excitement or intensity). Primarily informal American English.

Commonly used with

volume energy excitement rhetoric tension emotions

Forms

Base
amp down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
amps down
he/she/it
Past simple
amped down
yesterday
Past participle
amped down
have + pp
-ing form
amping down
continuous

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