What Does “Vote sb down” Mean?
“Vote sb down” means to reject or refuse someone’s proposal or idea by voting against it in a group decision.
Introduction
The phrase vote sb down is commonly used in meetings, discussions, or any group decision-making process. It refers to the act of opposing someone’s suggestion through a formal vote, resulting in the rejection of that idea. The vote sb down meaning is straightforward: when a majority disagrees, they “vote down” the proposal or person’s idea. Understanding this phrase helps in both formal and informal conversations related to teamwork, politics, or any group decisions.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: vote somebody down
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to reject an idea or proposal by voting against it
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Vote sb down” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (sb) between “vote” and “down,” or after “down.”
- vote somebody down
- vote down somebody
Example patterns:
- We voted his proposal down.
- The committee voted down her idea.
How to Use Vote sb down?
Use “vote sb down” when talking about rejecting someone’s suggestion or plan through a formal vote. It is often used in meetings, councils, or any group where decisions are made collectively. The phrase emphasizes the act of opposition by majority vote.
Examples
During the meeting, the team disagreed with John’s plan and voted him down.
- The board voted down the new budget proposal.
- They voted him down because they thought his idea was too risky.
- The members voted down the suggestion to increase working hours.
- She was voted down after presenting a weak argument.
- Vote sb down in a sentence: The council voted down the mayor’s proposal to raise taxes.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse “vote sb down” with simply “vote down” or misuse the object placement.
- Incorrect: They voted down him in the meeting.
- Correct: They voted him down in the meeting.
- Incorrect: We vote down the idea without a vote.
- Correct: We voted the idea down after discussion.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include turn down and reject. However, “vote sb down” specifically involves a formal voting process.
- Vote sb down: reject by voting in a group.
- Turn down: refuse or reject an offer or request (informal, no voting involved).
- Reject: refuse to accept (formal, no voting implied).
Common Collocations
It is useful to know which words commonly follow “vote sb down” in conversations.
- Proposal: a formal suggestion.
- Plan: a detailed idea or arrangement.
- Idea: a thought or suggestion.
- Motion: a formal proposal made at a meeting.
- Amendment: a change or addition proposed to a document or plan.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of vote sb down:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “vote sb down”:
Anna: Did the team accept your plan?
Ben: No, they voted me down in the meeting.
Anna: Why?
Ben: They thought it was too expensive.
Practice
Try to complete this sentence with the correct form of “vote sb down”:
The committee __________ the new policy because it was unpopular.
- a) vote down
- b) voted down
- c) votes down
- d) voting down
FAQ
- Q: Can “vote sb down” be used in informal situations?
A: It is mostly used in formal or group decision contexts, but can be used informally when talking about group votes. - Q: Is “vote sb down” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “vote” and “down” or after “down.” - Q: What is the difference between “vote sb down” and “turn down”?
A: “Vote sb down” involves a formal vote, “turn down” is a simple refusal without voting. - Q: Can “vote sb down” be used for people or only ideas?
A: It can be used for both people’s ideas or proposals, not usually for the person themselves. - Q: What is a common context for using “vote sb down”?
A: Meetings, councils, or any group decision-making situations.
