pipe down

B1 informal inseparable both

In simple words

to be quiet or tell someone to be quiet

Literal meaning: to lower the sound coming through a pipe

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

common

to become quieter

"The crowd finally piped down after a few minutes."

Grammar: inseparable

2 B1 idiomatic informal

common

to tell someone to stop talking or making noise

"Pipe down, please—I can't hear the announcement."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

Informal and often used as a command. Can sound sharp, but usually less rude than 'shut up'.

kids class everyone for a minute

Base

pipe down

I/you/we/they

3rd person

pipes down

he/she/it

Past simple

piped down

yesterday

Past participle

piped down

have + pp

-ing form

piping down

continuous

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