1 C1 informal
(Non-standard) To fail as a result of an electrical short circuit
"The whole board shorted down when water got into the panel."
short down
C1 informal intransitive
A non-standard or regional variant of 'short out', meaning to fail due to an electrical short circuit
In plain English
To stop working because of an electrical problem
What does "short down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
This is not a standard or widely accepted phrasal verb. It appears occasionally in informal or regional speech as a variant of 'short out'. Learners should prefer 'short out' in all contexts. Use with caution.
Words that pair with "short down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
circuit fuse wiring appliance system
How to conjugate "short down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
short down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shorts down
he/she/it
Past simple
shorted down
yesterday
Past participle
shorted down
have + pp
-ing form
shorting down
continuous
Hear "short down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "short down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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