What Does “Go down sth” Mean?
“Go down sth” is a phrasal verb that means to move down or descend something, such as stairs, a hill, or a path. It can also mean to be accepted or remembered in a certain way.
Introduction
The phrase “go down sth” is commonly used in English to describe the action of going down a physical object, like a street, hill, or stairs. Understanding the “go down sth meaning” helps learners use this phrasal verb naturally in daily conversations. It often refers to moving downward along or through something. Additionally, it can be used figuratively to talk about how events or actions are perceived or recorded in history or memory. This guide will explain the different uses of “go down sth,” give examples, and show you how to use it correctly in various contexts.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: go down sth (go down something)
- Type: transitive
- Level: A2–B1
- Short meaning: to move down or descend something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Go down sth” is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it requires an object after “down.” The object usually refers to a place or physical thing. It is inseparable, so the object always comes after “down.”
Pattern: go down + object (something)
Examples:
- She went down the stairs quickly.
- We will go down the hill together.
How to Use “Go down sth”?
Use “go down sth” when you want to describe moving from a higher place to a lower place along a specific object, such as a street, hill, or stairs. It can also be used figuratively to describe how something is remembered or accepted.
For physical movement:
- Go down the road
- Go down the ladder
For figurative use:
- This event will go down in history.
- His speech went down well with the audience.
Examples
Imagine you are giving directions or describing an action involving movement downward.
- Go down the street and turn left at the corner.
- He carefully went down the ladder to fix the roof.
- The hikers went down the mountain trail as the sun set.
- Her performance will go down as one of the best in the competition.
- That mistake will go down badly in the meeting.
These examples show “go down sth in a sentence” used both literally and figuratively.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the phrase by placing the object before “down” or using it without an object.
- Incorrect: Go the stairs down.
- Correct: Go down the stairs.
- Incorrect: She went down quickly. (without object, when specific place is needed)
- Correct: She went down the hill quickly.
Remember, “go down” without an object usually means to descend in general, but “go down sth” requires an object.
Differences / Synonyms
Other phrasal verbs like “go up,” “go through,” or “go over” may seem similar but have different meanings. “Go up sth” means to move upward, the opposite of “go down sth.”
- Go up sth: to move upward on something (e.g., go up the stairs)
- Go through sth: to experience or examine something carefully
- Go over sth: to review or examine details
While “go down sth” focuses on downward movement or how something is remembered, the others have distinct uses.
Common Collocations
“Go down” is often used with specific objects. Here are some common collocations with “go down”:
- Go down the stairs: move down a set of stairs
- Go down the hill: descend a hill
- Go down the road/street: travel along a road or street in a downward direction or just along it
- Go down the ladder: descend a ladder
- Go down in history: be remembered or recorded in history
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of go down sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here’s a short conversation using “go down sth”:
Anna: How do I get to the café from here?
Ben: Just go down this street for two blocks, then turn right.
Anna: Thanks! Is it far?
Ben: No, it’s just down the hill, you can’t miss it.
Practice
Try to fill in the blanks with the correct phrase using “go down sth”:
- We decided to __________ the mountain carefully because it was slippery.
- She told me to __________ the stairs and wait outside.
- The story will __________ as one of the most inspiring tales ever told.
- Can you __________ the street and check if the shop is open?
FAQs
- Q: Is “go down sth” separable?
A: No, the object always follows “down.” - Q: Can “go down” be used without an object?
A: Yes, but “go down sth” requires an object. - Q: What is the opposite of “go down sth”?
A: “Go up sth,” meaning to move upward. - Q: Can “go down” be used figuratively?
A: Yes, for example, “go down in history.” - Q: Is “go down sth” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
