bring down

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

Virginia Giuffre's family said she had "brought down a prince" following the King's decision.

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Americans made a political break from Britain without overthrowing the social order or the law, while the French brought down both at tremendous cost.

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Reacting to the latest developments, Ms Giuffre's family said she "brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage".

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"Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage," the family said in a statement sent to the BBC.

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This has helped bring down the level of anticipated warming - even though the world is still not acting at anywhere near the pace needed to achieve the Paris goals.

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