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Phrasal verbs "dress down" vs "tone down"

Differences between dress down and tone down

Dress down means to wear more casual or informal clothing than usual, while tone down means to make something less intense or extreme.

Meanings and Definitions: dress down vs tone down

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Dress down

  • 1Dress casually.

    The staff are allowed to DRESS DOWN on Fridays.

  • 2Scold.

    She DRESSED me DOWN for being rude.

Tone down

  • 1Make something sound more moderate.

    The Minister tried to TONE DOWN what she had said when the press started attacking her.

Usage Examples: dress down, tone down in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

dress down

Example

On Fridays, employees can dress down at the office.

Example

She dresses down when she goes to the park.

tone down

Example

She decided to tone down her makeup for the job interview.

Example

He tones down his language when speaking to children.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Dress down

dress casually

To wear comfortable or informal clothing instead of formal or dressy attire.

Example

We're just going to the park, so you can dress casually and wear your sneakers.

dress informally

To wear relaxed or comfortable clothing that is not formal or dressy.

Example

The office has a casual dress code, so you can dress informally and wear jeans and a t-shirt.

dress comfortably

To wear clothing that allows for ease of movement and relaxation.

Example

It's a long flight, so make sure to dress comfortably and wear loose-fitting clothes.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Tone down

soften the blow

To make bad news or criticism easier to accept or understand.

Example

He tried to soften the blow by explaining the reasons behind the company's decision to lay off employees.

dial it back

To reduce the intensity or level of something.

Example

She realized she was getting too emotional and needed to dial it back before continuing the conversation.

calm down

To become less agitated or excited, or to make someone else less agitated or excited.

Example

He tried to calm down the angry customer by apologizing and offering a solution to the problem.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “dress”

Phrasal Verbs with “down”

Differences in dress down vs tone down: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: dress down or tone down?

In daily conversation, people use dress down more often than tone down. This is because dress down is used for more daily tasks and routines such as getting ready for a casual event or going to work. Tone down is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about reducing the intensity of something. So, while both phrases are used, dress down is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of dress down and tone down

Dress down and tone down are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of dress down and tone down

The tone of dress down and tone down can differ based on context. Dress down often carries a relaxed or comfortable tone when related to clothing, while tone down typically has a serious or urgent tone, especially when referring to reducing the intensity of a situation or message.

dress down & tone down: Synonyms and Antonyms

Dress down

Synonyms

Antonyms

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