tune down
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To adjust a musical instrument so that it plays lower notes — the opposite of tuning up.
Literal meaning: To adjust the pitch of an instrument downward.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To lower the pitch of a musical instrument by loosening its strings or adjusting its tuning mechanism.
"The guitarist tuned down all the strings by a semitone for the last song."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
(figurative, rare) To reduce the intensity or expressiveness of something.
"The director asked the actors to tune down the drama in that scene."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Used primarily in musical contexts. Guitarists 'tune down' when they tune to alternate low tunings (e.g. drop D, open C). Less common than 'tune up'. Rarely used figuratively.
Commonly used with
guitar strings instrument half-step semitone bass
Forms
Base
tune down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tunes down
he/she/it
Past simple
tuned down
yesterday
Past participle
tuned down
have + pp
-ing form
tuning down
continuous
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