bring down

British  

verb

1. to cause to fall

   the fighter aircraft brought the enemy down

   the ministers agreed to bring down the price of oil

2. slang (usually passive) to cause to be elated and then suddenly depressed, as from using drugs

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bring down Idioms  

1. Cause to fall, collapse, or die. For example, The pilot won a medal for bringing down enemy aircraft , or The bill's defeat was sure to bring down the party . [c. 1300]

2. Cause a punishment or judgment, as in The bomb threats brought down the public's wrath on the terrorists [Mid-1600s]

3. Reduce, lower, as in I won't buy it till they bring down the price , or He refused to bring himself down to their level . This usage may be literal, as in the first example, or figurative, as in the second. [First half of 1500s]

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Example Sentences

Higher borrowing costs tend to dampen demand, helping to bring down inflation.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

It suggests tapping your retirement fund before age 73 to help bring down your balances, along with your RMDs.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

Despite his lack of experience as a civil litigator, McKinney also said he could bring down the city’s litigation costs, which exploded under Feldstein Soto.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Attorney’s Office, Second District of California, with helping to bring down a ring that had targeted thousands of seniors across the country.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

“If we bring down all of the fire, it should vaporize all of the poison and leave behind only the third key!”

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi