turn down

Short definition: The phrase turn down means to refuse or reject an offer, request, or invitation, or to reduce the volume or intensity of something, depending on context, often implying denial or lowering a level.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrasal verb turn down? This is a very common expression in English and it can describe both physical adjustments and personal decisions. It may refer to lowering the level of something, rejecting an offer, or refusing a request. Because it’s used in everyday conversation quite often, context plays a big role in understanding the exact meaning. Below are detailed meanings with realistic examples so you can clearly understand how turn down works in daily English.

turn down v. /ˌtɜːrn ˈdaʊn/

Forms: turn down, turns down, turned down, turning down
Related: refuse v., reject v., reduce v., decline v.
Syllable: turn-down

(Verb) To reduce the level, volume, or intensity of something.
To turn down something most commonly means lowering its level, such as reducing the volume of music, the brightness of a screen, or the heat on a stove. It usually involves adjusting a control downward.

Could you turn down the music? It’s a bit too loud.

She turned down the heater because the room was getting too warm.

He turned down the brightness to save battery life.

Synonyms: reduce, lower, decrease, soften, lessen, cut back, dial down, diminish, tone down, weaken, bring down, quiet
Antonyms: turn up, increase, raise, amplify, boost, heighten, intensify, strengthen, elevate, grow louder, enhance, step up
(Verb) To reject or refuse an offer or request.
Turn down can also mean refusing something, such as a job offer, invitation, proposal, or suggestion. It often suggests politely saying no.

She turned down the job offer because it required relocating.

He was surprised when she turned him down.

I had to turn down the invitation because I was already busy.

Synonyms: refuse, reject, decline, say no to, dismiss, pass on, deny, refuse politely, refuse outright, spurn, rebuff, veto
Antonyms: accept, agree to, approve, welcome, embrace, take up, receive gladly, consent to, grant, allow, approve of, confirm
(Verb) To fold or bend something downward.
In a more literal sense, turn down can mean folding or bending something downward, such as the corner of a page or the edge of clothing. This meaning is less common but still appears in descriptive contexts.

She turned down the corner of the page to mark her place.

He turned down the collar of his jacket.

The cuffs were turned down neatly.

Synonyms: fold down, bend downward, flip down, crease downward, tuck down, press down, roll down edge, fold over, curve downward, drop edge, lower edge, flatten downward
Antonyms: fold up, raise edge, lift upward, flip up, roll up, bend upward, elevate corner, raise collar, straighten up, pull upward, lift flap, turn upward

Conversation Using the Phrasal Verb Turn down

While listening to music and discussing a job offer, Liam and Chloe talk about preferences. This conversation highlights turn down, which means to refuse an offer or invitation, or to reduce the volume or heat of something.

Liam: Could you please turn down the volume of the radio? I’m trying to focus on writing this email to our new potential client.

Chloe: Sure! I’ll turn down the music immediately; I didn't realize it was being so loud and distracting for you while you worked.

Liam: I read that he had to turn down a very high-paying job offer because it would have required him to move away from his family.

Chloe: I noticed that the hotel staff will turn down the beds every evening and leave a small chocolate on the pillow for the guests.

Liam: If you turn down the heat in the oven too early, the cake might not rise properly and could end up being very dense and heavy.

Chloe: I saw a politician turn down the opportunity to debate his opponent because he felt the moderator was biased against his party.

Liam: It’s hard to turn down an invitation to a party, but sometimes you just need a quiet night at home to rest and recover your energy.

Chloe: I agree; I’m going to turn down the thermostat tonight to save some money on our electricity bill and help the environment as well.

Liam: I’m glad you decided to turn down the noise; the office feels much more peaceful now and I can finally finish this difficult report.

Chloe: No problem; once we turn down the final offer from the supplier, we can start looking for a partner who offers better terms for us.

Phrases Containing the Phrasal Verb Turn Down

The phrases below show how the phrasal verb turn down is used to talk about refusing offers or reducing volume and intensity.

Turn down an offer

To refuse a proposal.

She turned down the offer because it did not align with her long-term career goals.

Turn down the volume

To reduce sound level.

Please turn down the volume because the music is disturbing the neighbors.

Turn down a job

To reject employment.

He turned down a job opportunity abroad to stay close to his family.

Turn down a request

To refuse someone’s demand.

The manager had to turn down the request due to limited resources.

Turn down the heat

To lower temperature.

She turned down the heat because the room was becoming too warm.

Turn down an invitation

To decline an invite.

He politely turned down the invitation because he had prior commitments.

Turn down a proposal

To reject a suggestion.

The board turned down the proposal after careful evaluation.

Turn down assistance

To refuse help.

She turned down assistance because she wanted to solve the problem independently.

Turn down the brightness

To reduce light intensity.

He turned down the brightness on his phone to save battery power.

Turn down a chance

To refuse an opportunity.

It’s rare for someone to turn down a chance like that without strong reasons.

Turn down a date

To refuse a romantic invitation.

She turned down a date because she wasn’t ready for a new relationship.

Turn down a suggestion

To reject advice.

He turned down the suggestion after considering its potential risks.

Turn down the lights

To reduce lighting.

They turned down the lights to create a calm atmosphere.

Turn down funding

To reject financial support.

The organization turned down funding that came with strict conditions.

Turn down the radio

To lower audio volume.

He turned down the radio to focus on the conversation.

Turn down the temperature

To decrease heat level.

Please turn down the temperature before leaving the house.

Turn down an application

To reject a submission.

The company turned down his application despite his strong qualifications.

Turn down the sound

To reduce audio.

She turned down the sound while answering an important call.

Turn down a partnership

To refuse cooperation.

The startup turned down a partnership that did not match its values.

Turn down the pressure

To reduce intensity.

The coach tried to turn down the pressure before the final game.

Words Rhyme with turn down

burn town

churn clown

learn brown

fern frown

stern crown

spurn gown

yearn noun

concern down

return town

adjourn clown

down

town

clown

brown

frown

crown

gown

noun

renown

updown

countdown

downtown

uptown

sundown

lowdown

showdown

meltdown

cooldown

nightgown

touchdown

POS: Verb Phrase