What does "take down" mean (sense 1)?

To remove something from a wall, shelf, or elevated position and lower it Example: "Can you take down those old photos from the wall? We're repainting tomorrow."

What does "take down" mean (sense 2)?

To dismantle a temporary structure such as a tent, scaffold, or stage Example: "The crew began taking down the stage as soon as the concert ended."

What does "take down" mean (sense 3)?

To write or record information, especially notes from speech Example: "The officer asked me to spell my name slowly while he took it down."

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take down

B1 neutral separable transitive

To remove something from a higher position; to dismantle a structure; to write something down; or to defeat or overpower someone

In plain English

Remove something from where it's hanging; knock down a building; write notes; or beat someone

What does "take down" mean?

4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 A2 neutral

very common

To remove something from a wall, shelf, or elevated position and lower it

"Can you take down those old photos from the wall? We're repainting tomorrow."

separable

2 B1 neutral

common

To dismantle a temporary structure such as a tent, scaffold, or stage

"The crew began taking down the stage as soon as the concert ended."

separable

3 B1 neutral

common

To write or record information, especially notes from speech

"The officer asked me to spell my name slowly while he took it down."

separable

4 B2 idiomatic informal

common

(Informal) To overpower, defeat, or remove someone from a position of power

"The documentary was designed to take down the corrupt senator."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To take something down from a higher position — mostly transparent.

Actually means

Remove something from where it's hanging; knock down a building; write notes; or beat someone

Usage tip

Very common and versatile. The note-taking sense is common in academic and professional settings. The 'remove from wall' sense is everyday. The 'dismantle' sense is used for tents, scaffolding, and temporary structures. The 'defeat' sense is informal.

Words that pair with "take down"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

notes tent poster structure opponent website

How to conjugate "take down"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

take down

I/you/we/they

3rd person

takes down

he/she/it

Past simple

took down

yesterday

Past participle

taken down

have + pp

-ing form

taking down

continuous

Hear "take down" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "take down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "take" All phrasal verbs with "down" More B1-level phrasal verbs