1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To reduce or suppress a feeling, reaction, or public mood.
"The coach tried to dampen down the players' overconfidence before the final."
separable
dampen down
B2 neutral separable transitive
To reduce the force, intensity, or enthusiasm of something, especially an emotion, situation, or public reaction.
In plain English
To make something less exciting, less strong, or less likely to grow.
What does "dampen down" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic formal
To reduce economic activity or demand, especially through policy measures.
"Higher interest rates were introduced to dampen down consumer spending."
separable
3 B2 neutral
To make a fire less intense by reducing its air supply or covering it.
"She dampened down the stove before going to bed so the coals would still be warm in the morning."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make something wetter so it settles down or is less active.
Actually means
To make something less exciting, less strong, or less likely to grow.
Usage tip
Very common in news and political commentary. Often used with nouns like 'speculation', 'enthusiasm', 'fears', 'tensions'. Slightly more figurative in feel than 'damp down'. Widely used in British English.
Words that pair with "dampen down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
speculation enthusiasm tensions expectations fears demand
How to conjugate "dampen down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dampen down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dampens down
he/she/it
Past simple
dampened down
yesterday
Past participle
dampened down
have + pp
-ing form
dampening down
continuous
Hear "dampen down" in the wild
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Keep exploring
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