English · Work & Business
turn down
/tɜːn daʊn/
[/tɜːn daʊn/]
reject; lower
Intermediateverb
Definition
To refuse an offer or request, or to reduce the volume or intensity of something.
Example
She turned down the job offer because the salary was too low and the commute too long.
She turned down the job offer because the salary was too low and the commute too long.
Etymology
From 'turn' plus 'down'; the rejection sense developed from the gesture of turning a card or page face down.
How & Where It’s Used
Common in both business (declining offers) and domestic contexts (lowering a thermostat or radio).