bring down
Britishverb
-
to cause to fall
the fighter aircraft brought the enemy down
the ministers agreed to bring down the price of oil
-
slang (usually passive) to cause to be elated and then suddenly depressed, as from using drugs
-
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]
-
Cause a punishment or judgment, as in The bomb threats brought down the public's wrath on the terrorists [Mid-1600s]
-
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]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
We have a solution that will bring down fuel prices for Americans: E15 fuel, 15% ethanol, 85% gasoline.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
Merino and Havertz, again, are best placed to bring down or flick on long passes from David Raya before Arsenal's midfield swarm the second ball making this another tactic to look out for.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
"We have to bring down the Empire," a blond man behind Mazen says.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
