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copy down

A2 neutral separable transitive

In simple words

To write something down from what you see or hear.

Literal meaning: To copy something down onto paper.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

common

To write out something exactly as you see or hear it, usually from a board, book, or spoken source.

"Please copy down the homework assignment from the board before the bell rings."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Very common in educational contexts. Often refers to students writing from a board or a teacher's dictation. Natural in both British and American English. Very similar to 'copy out' but 'copy down' more commonly implies quickly noting something from a source.

Commonly used with

address number notes instructions board homework

Forms

Base

copy down

I/you/we/they

3rd person

copies down

he/she/it

Past simple

copied down

yesterday

Past participle

copied down

have + pp

-ing form

copying down

continuous

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Synonyms

write down note down transcribe copy out jot down take down

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