What Does “Turn sth down” Mean?
“Turn sth down” means to refuse or reject something, such as an offer, invitation, or request. It can also mean to reduce the volume or intensity of something.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “turn sth down” is very common in English. It has two main meanings: rejecting or refusing something, and lowering the level of sound, heat, or light. Knowing the turn sth down meaning helps you understand conversations and express yourself clearly. This phrase is useful in everyday situations, from refusing job offers to adjusting the volume on a device. In this guide, you will learn how to use “turn sth down” correctly with examples, common mistakes, and useful tips.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: turn something down
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1
- Short meaning: to refuse or reduce the intensity of something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Turn sth down” is a separable phrasal verb. This means the object can come between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- Turn something down (formal) – e.g., She turned the offer down.
- Turn down something (common) – e.g., She turned down the offer.
Use the object (something) directly after “turn” or after “down.” Both are correct, but the second is more common in spoken English.
How to Use Turn sth down?
Use “turn sth down” when you want to say no to offers, invitations, or requests politely. It can also describe lowering a device’s volume, heat, or light. The context tells which meaning applies.
Examples:
- Turn down a job offer
- Turn down the music
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “turn sth down in a sentence”:
- I had to turn down the invitation to the party because I was busy.
- She turned down the radio because it was too loud.
- He turned down the job offer because the salary was too low.
- Can you turn down the heating? It’s too hot in here.
- They turned down the proposal after careful consideration.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse the word order or use the wrong preposition. Here are some incorrect and correct examples:
- Incorrect: She turned downed the offer.
Correct: She turned down the offer. - Incorrect: He turned the down music.
Correct: He turned down the music. - Incorrect: Can you turn the offer down? (less common but acceptable)
Correct: Can you turn down the offer?
Differences / Synonyms
“Turn sth down” is similar to “reject,” “refuse,” and “decline,” but it is often used in informal contexts. Unlike “reject,” which can sound harsh, “turn down” is softer and more polite.
For lowering volume or heat, “turn down” is used instead of “lower,” but “lower” is more formal.
- Reject: more formal, often used officially
- Refuse: direct denial, sometimes firm
- Decline: polite refusal, similar to “turn down”
- Lower: more formal for reducing volume or heat
Common Collocations
“Turn sth down” often pairs with specific nouns related to offers, invitations, or controls:
- Offer: job, loan, proposal
- Invitation: party, meeting, event
- Volume: music, radio, TV
- Heat: heating, temperature, stove
- Light: lamp, brightness
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of turn sth down:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “turn sth down”:
Anna: Did you accept the job offer from the new company?
Ben: No, I turned it down. The salary wasn’t good enough.
Anna: That makes sense. It’s important to wait for a better offer.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “turn sth down”:
- I had to _________ the invitation because I was busy.
- Can you _________ the music? It’s too loud.
- She _________ the offer after thinking carefully.
FAQ
- Q: Can “turn sth down” be used in formal writing?
A: It is more common in spoken and informal English but can be used carefully in formal writing. - Q: Is “turn down” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “turn” and “down” or after “down.” - Q: What is the opposite of “turn sth down”?
A: The opposite is “accept” or “turn sth up” (for volume or heat). - Q: Can “turn down” mean lowering temperature?
A: Yes, it can mean reducing heat or temperature. - Q: Is “turn down” used with people?
A: Usually, it refers to offers or requests, not people directly.
