What Does “Turn sb down” Mean?
“Turn sb down” means to refuse or reject someone’s offer, request, or invitation.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “Turn sb down” is widely used in English to express refusal or rejection. Whether you are rejecting a job offer, a date, or a request for help, this phrase fits naturally in many situations. Understanding the “Turn sb down” meaning will help you communicate politely and clearly when you want to say no. It is an essential phrase for both formal and informal conversations.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Turn somebody down
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To refuse or reject someone or something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Turn sb down” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (sb) between “turn” and “down” or after the whole phrase.
- I turned her down. / I turned down her offer.
- She turned me down yesterday.
Remember, the object is usually a person or an offer.
How to Use Turn sb down?
You use “turn sb down” when you want to say no to someone politely. It is common in social and professional contexts. For example, you can turn down a job offer, a date, or a request for help. It shows clear refusal without being rude.
Examples
Imagine you receive a job offer but it doesn’t suit you. You can say, “I had to turn the company down because the salary was too low.”
- She turned me down when I asked her out.
- He turned down the invitation to the party.
- They turned down our proposal for a new project.
- Don’t be afraid to turn down offers you don’t like.
- We turned down the chance to work with that company.
These sentences show “Turn sb down in a sentence” with various real-life contexts.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse the position of the object in the sentence. Here is a common mistake:
- Incorrect: She turned down me.
- Correct: She turned me down.
Also, avoid using “turn down” when you mean to lower volume or temperature, as those have different meanings.
Differences / Synonyms
“Turn sb down” is similar to “reject,” but it is more conversational and polite. Unlike “refuse,” which can sound more formal or harsh, “turn sb down” is softer.
- Reject: Often used in formal contexts, like job applications.
- Refuse: Can be used for offers, invitations, or requests, sometimes stronger than “turn down.”
- Decline: Very polite and formal, often used in written communication.
Choose “turn sb down” for everyday spoken English.
Common Collocations
You often use “turn sb down” with offers, invitations, requests, and proposals. Here are some common collocations:
- Turn down a job offer – refuse a work opportunity
- Turn down an invitation – say no to an event
- Turn down a proposal – reject an idea or plan
- Turn down a request – refuse a favor or help
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of turn sb down:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “turn sb down”:
Anna: Did you accept the job offer from the new company?
Ben: No, I turned them down. The salary wasn’t enough.
Anna: That makes sense. It’s important to find the right fit.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “turn sb down”:
- She ________ my invitation to the wedding last week.
- They ________ our proposal after the meeting.
- I didn’t want to ________ his offer, but I had to.
- He ________ the job because it required too much travel.
FAQ
- What does “turn sb down” mean? It means to refuse or reject someone or something.
- Is “turn sb down” formal or informal? It is mostly informal but polite enough for many situations.
- Can I say “turn down me”? No, the correct form is “turn me down.”
- What is the difference between “turn down” and “refuse”? “Turn down” is more conversational and polite; “refuse” can be stronger or more formal.
- Can “turn down” be used for things other than people? Yes, you can turn down offers, invitations, or proposals.
