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

See Examples For:

bring down

Meantime, the U.S. needs a more diverse arsenal that can bring down cheap missiles and drones without using an interceptor that works beautifully but by public estimates is $4 million a pop.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

In one photo, Graham posed, grinning, holding a black P1-SUN interceptor built to bring down Russian Shahed drones.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

The decisive moment came with 20 minutes left when Diego Gomez had stuck out his leg to bring down Desire Doue.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026

Domestic supply needs to increase to bring down prices.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026

Tata Kuvudundu cast his bone predictions, and nearly every girl in the village had danced with a chicken held to her head, to bring down rain.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver