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Phrasal verbs "keep down" vs "tone down"

Differences between keep down and tone down

Keep down usually means to control or reduce something, especially negative things like noise or costs. On the other hand, tone down means to make something less intense or forceful, especially language or behavior.

Meanings and Definitions: keep down vs tone down

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Keep down

  • 1Not vomit.

    The food was so horrible that I struggled to KEEP it DOWN.

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: keep down, tone down in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

keep down

Example

I hope I can keep down this medicine; it tastes terrible.

Example

She keeps down her lunch even though she feels nauseous.

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 Keep down

cut back on

To reduce or limit something, especially expenses or consumption.

Example

We need to cut back on our spending if we want to save money for our trip.

hold back

To restrain or control one's emotions or actions, especially in a difficult situation.

Example

She had to hold back her tears during the emotional speech at her friend's wedding.

keep under control

To manage or regulate something to prevent it from getting out of hand.

Example

The teacher had to keep the students under control during the noisy class activity.

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 starting the conversation with some positive feedback before giving his employee the bad news.

dial back

To reduce the intensity or level of something, especially language or behavior.

Example

The politician had to dial back his aggressive rhetoric after facing criticism from the public.

moderate one's tone

To adjust one's language or voice to convey a more neutral or calm attitude.

Example

She had to moderate her tone when talking to her angry customer to avoid escalating the conflict.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

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

Frequency in Daily Use: keep down or tone down?

In daily conversation, people use tone down more often than keep down. This is because tone down is used in a wider range of situations, such as in social interactions, public speaking, and writing. Keep down is not used as much in everyday conversation, but it's still a common phrasal verb in specific contexts like finance or construction.

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

Keep down and tone down are both informal phrases that can be used in casual conversations. However, tone down can also be used in more formal settings like business meetings or political speeches, where speakers need to be diplomatic or respectful. Keep down is less suitable for formal contexts, as it may sound too colloquial or simplistic.

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

The tone of keep down and tone down can differ based on context. Keep down often carries a negative or critical tone when related to controlling or reducing something unwanted, while tone down typically has a positive or conciliatory tone, especially when referring to adjusting language or behavior to avoid offending or upsetting others.

keep down & tone down: Synonyms and Antonyms

Keep down

Synonyms

Antonyms

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