What are the definitions of “go down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Decrease, get smaller.
The price of scanners has GONE DOWN recently.
- 2Sink.
The Titanic WENT DOWN after it hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage.
- 3Sunset.
The sun WENT DOWN at seven o'clock.
- 4Be sent to to prison.
He WENT DOWN for ten years for armed robbery.
- 5Become recorded as or known as.
It WENT DOWN as the worst day in the history of the company.
- 6Be eaten or swallowed.
The medicine WENT DOWN easily.
- 7Fall to the ground.
The boxer WENT DOWN in the second round.
- 8Happen, take place.
The police thought that a big crime was GOING DOWN that night.
- 9Stop working, especially computers.
The computer system WENT DOWN for an hour last night.
- 10Become dimmer.
The lights WENT DOWN and the audience stopped talking.
- 11Be received by people, in terms of their reaction.
My joke WENT DOWN very badly.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “go down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb go down is to decrease or get smaller. For example, it can mean the reduction in price, the decrease in temperature, or the lowering of volume.
What are the different verb forms of “go down”?
| Root Verb | go down |
| Third Person Singular Present | goes down |
| Present Participle | going down |
| Simple Past | went down |
| Past Participle | gone down |
Example
The temperature will go down tonight.
Example
The sun goes down at around 8 pm during summer.
Example
The price of the product is going down due to the sale.
Example
The computer system went down for a few hours yesterday.
Example
The crime rate has gone down since the new law was implemented.
What kind of phrasal verb is “go down”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“go down” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
The sun went down at seven o'clock.
Example
The price of scanners has gone down recently.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“go down” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The sun went down at seven o'clock.
Example
The price of scanners has gone down recently.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “go down”?
Good things to know
Does “go down” have an informal or formal tone?
Go down is a neutral phrasal verb. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the level of formality can depend on the context in which it is used. For example, in a business context such as 'The stock prices went down,' it can be considered formal. In a casual context like 'The sun goes down at 8 pm,' it is informal.
