turn down

verb

1. to reduce (the volume or brightness) of (something)

   turn the radio down

2. to reject or refuse

3. to fold down (a collar, sheets on a bed, etc)

adjective

1. (prenominal) capable of being or designed to be folded or doubled down

Idioms and Phrases

Fold or double down, as in They always turn down your bed here , or Turn down your collar . [c. 1600]

Invert, as in She turned down her cards , or They turn down the glasses in the cupboard . [Mid-1700s]

Reject, fail to accept, as in They turned down his proposal , or Joe was turned down at four schools before he was finally accepted . [Late 1800s]

Diminish in volume, brightness, or speed. For example, Please turn down the radio; it's too loud , or They turned down the lights and began to dance . [Second half of 1800s]

Related Words

• dismiss 
• rebuff 
• refuse 
• spurn