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come down to

B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

to really be about one main thing

Literal meaning: to move downward until reaching something

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic neutral

to be determined by a particular factor

"The final decision may come down to cost."

"In the end, it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living, or get busy dying."

— The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

to be reduced to the most basic meaning or point

"Their argument comes down to who should take responsibility."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Very common in speech and writing. Often followed by a noun phrase or -ing form.

Commonly used with

money timing choice trust luck details

Forms

Base
come down to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
comes down to
he/she/it
Past simple
came down to
yesterday
Past participle
come down to
have + pp
-ing form
coming down to
continuous

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Synonyms

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