1 A2 neutral
To reduce the level, volume, temperature, or intensity of something by adjusting a control.
"Could you turn down the music? I'm trying to sleep."
separable
turn down
A2 neutral separable transitive
To reduce the level of something (volume, heat, etc.); to refuse or reject an offer, request, or person.
In plain English
To make something quieter or cooler, or to say no to something offered to you.
What does "turn down" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To refuse or reject an offer, invitation, request, or person.
"She turned down the job offer because the salary was too low."
separable
3 B1 neutral
To fold the top part of bedcovers, a collar, or page downward.
"She turned down the corner of the page to mark where she had stopped reading."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically rotate a dial or lever in a downward direction.
Actually means
To make something quieter or cooler, or to say no to something offered to you.
Usage tip
Two core meanings: (1) adjusting a dial/control downward, (2) rejecting an offer or person. Both are extremely common in everyday English. In job interviews and dating contexts, 'being turned down' is the standard way to express rejection.
Words that pair with "turn down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
offer invitation volume heat request job
How to conjugate "turn down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
turn down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
turns down
he/she/it
Past simple
turned down
yesterday
Past participle
turned down
have + pp
-ing form
turning down
continuous
Hear "turn down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "turn 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.