Phrasal verbs with down

Getting less

• cut downI am trying to cut down on sugar.
• slow downSlow down, you are driving too fast.
• turn downCan you turn the music down? I am on the phone.

Writing it down

• write downWrite down your email address, please.
• note downLet me note down your phone number.
• jot downI jotted down a few ideas during the lecture.

Breaking and closing

• break downOur car broke down on the motorway.
• close downThe factory closed down in 2009.
• shut downThe system shut down without warning.

Particle meanings are a guide, not a rule. Many verbs mean something quite different from their parts, so check each one.

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