What Does โVote sb downโ Mean?
โVote sb downโ means to reject or refuse someoneโs 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 someoneโs suggestion through a formal vote, resulting in the rejection of that idea. The vote sb down meaning is straightforward: when a majority disagrees, they โvote downโ the proposal or personโs 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)
โVote sb downโ is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (sb) between โvoteโ and โdown,โ or after โdown.โ
- 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 โvote sb downโ when talking about rejecting someoneโs 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 Johnโs 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 mayorโs proposal to raise taxes.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse โvote sb downโ with simply โvote downโ 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, โvote sb downโ 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 โvote sb downโ 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 โvote sb downโ:
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 โvote sb downโ:
The committee __________ the new policy because it was unpopular.
- a) vote down
- b) voted down
- c) votes down
- d) voting down
FAQ
- Q: Can โvote sb downโ 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 โvote sb downโ separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between โvoteโ and โdownโ or after โdown.โ - Q: What is the difference between โvote sb downโ and โturn downโ?
A: โVote sb downโ involves a formal vote, โturn downโ is a simple refusal without voting. - Q: Can โvote sb downโ be used for people or only ideas?
A: It can be used for both peopleโs ideas or proposals, not usually for the person themselves. - Q: What is a common context for using โvote sb downโ?
A: Meetings, councils, or any group decision-making situations.
