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

Meanwhile, Stanley Druckenmiller, Bessent’s longtime mentor, sounded off on the Treasury secretary over intervention to bring down borrowing costs, calling it a mistake.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

The Federal Reserve is trying to bludgeon inflation and bring down annual price increases to 2% or less.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

She’s cited a 49% drop in street homelessness in her district over the past year as a clear sign that she is equipped to bring down homelessness citywide.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

Many stayed outside overnight as dozens of aftershocks threatened to bring down compromised buildings.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

After the first few blasts failed to bring down the structures, Hildreth figured out precisely how much powder was needed.

From "The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy