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."
separable
amp down
C1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To reduce intensity, energy, or volume; the opposite of 'amp up'.
In plain English
Make something less loud, intense, or exciting.
What does "amp down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To turn an amplifier down to reduce the sound.
Actually means
Make something less loud, intense, or exciting.
Usage tip
Less common than 'amp up'. Used in both audio contexts (reducing amplifier volume) and figurative contexts (reducing excitement or intensity). Primarily informal American English.
Words that pair with "amp down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
volume energy excitement rhetoric tension emotions
How to conjugate "amp down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "amp down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "amp down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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