1 C1 neutral
To reduce engine power by decreasing the throttle setting, causing a vehicle or craft to slow down.
"The pilot throttled down as the aircraft approached the runway."
inseparable
throttle down
C1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To reduce the power or speed of an engine by decreasing the throttle; to slow down by cutting engine power.
In plain English
To make a vehicle or engine go slower by pressing less on the accelerator or fuel control.
What does "throttle down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
(Figurative) To reduce the intensity or pace of an activity or process.
"The company decided to throttle down its expansion plans until the economy improved."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To press down on the throttle control to reduce fuel and engine power.
Actually means
To make a vehicle or engine go slower by pressing less on the accelerator or fuel control.
Usage tip
Primarily used in aviation, boating, motorcycling, and motorsport contexts. The opposite is 'throttle up'. Also rarely used figuratively to mean reducing the intensity of an activity. More technical than everyday.
Words that pair with "throttle down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
engine aircraft boat power speed pilot
How to conjugate "throttle down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
throttle down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
throttles down
he/she/it
Past simple
throttled down
yesterday
Past participle
throttled down
have + pp
-ing form
throttling down
continuous
Hear "throttle down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "throttle down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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