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Phrasal verbs "pay down" vs "shut down"

Differences between pay down and shut down

Pay down means to reduce the amount of debt or money owed, while shut down means to close or stop the operation of a business, machine, or system.

Meanings and Definitions: pay down vs shut down

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Pay down

  • 1Pay a debt over time.

    The British government can't PAY DOWN the national debt.

Shut down

  • 1Close a business, shop, etc..

    The shop SHUT DOWN when the out - of town supermarket opened.

  • 2Turn a computer off.

    You should close all programs before you SHUT a computer DOWN.

Usage Examples: pay down, shut down in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

pay down

Example

I need to pay down my student loans before I can buy a house.

Example

She pays down her credit card balance every month.

shut down

Example

The factory will shut down for maintenance next week.

Example

The computer shuts down automatically after a period of inactivity.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pay down

reduce debt

To decrease the amount of money owed to creditors or lenders.

Example

She decided to reduce her debt by paying down her credit card balance every month.

lower outstanding balance

To decrease the amount of money owed on a loan or credit account.

Example

By making extra payments, he was able to lower his outstanding balance and pay off his car loan early.

settle accounts

To pay off debts or balances owed to creditors or lenders.

Example

After receiving a bonus at work, she decided to settle her accounts and pay down her student loans.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Shut down

close up shop

To cease operations or business activity and close a store or business.

Example

After years of struggling, the owner decided to close up shop and retire.

cease production

To stop manufacturing or producing goods or products.

Example

Due to low demand, the company decided to cease production of their latest product line.

turn off

To stop the operation of a machine, device, or system by switching it off.

Example

Before leaving the office, he made sure to turn off his computer and lights to save energy.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “pay”

Phrasal Verbs with “down”

Differences in pay down vs shut down: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: pay down or shut down?

In everyday conversation, shut down is more commonly used than pay down. This is because shut down can be used in various contexts, such as closing a store or turning off a computer. On the other hand, pay down is used less frequently and mainly in financial contexts.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of pay down and shut down

Pay down and shut down are both informal phrases that can be used in casual conversations. However, pay down may be more appropriate in formal financial settings, while shut down may be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of pay down and shut down

The tone of pay down and shut down can differ based on context. Pay down often carries a responsible or serious tone when related to managing finances, while shut down typically has a practical and straightforward tone, especially when referring to closing a business or system.

pay down & shut down: Synonyms and Antonyms

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