Topic: GEOGRAPHY
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down1 S1 W1
1 to or towards a lower place or position [≠ up]: David bent down to tie his shoelace. Get down off the table. Tears were streaming down my face. The sun was going down and it would soon be dark. They came running down the stairs. She stood on a balcony looking down into the courtyard. Glancing down the list of runners, I noticed a familiar name. Her hair came down to her waist.
to a lower position
David bent down to tie his shoelace.Get down off the table.Tears were streaming down my face.The sun was going down and it would soon be dark.They came running down the stairs.She stood on a balcony looking down into the courtyard.Glancing down the list of runners, I noticed a familiar name.Her hair came down to her waist.2 in a lower place or position [≠ up]: We heard the sound of laughter down below. The bathroom is down those stairs. Halfway down the page, there was the item I was looking for.
in a lower place
We heard the sound of laughter down below.The bathroom is down those stairs.Halfway down the page, there was the item I was looking for.3 into a sitting or lying position : Please sit down. I think I'll go and lie down for a while.
to lie/sit
Please sit down.I think I'll go and lie down for a while.4 at or to a place that is further along something such as a road or path : A young man came hurrying down the street. She looked down the road to see if anyone was coming. There is a pleasant little cafe bar a hundred yards down the road. The bus stop is a bit further down on the left-hand side.
along
A young man came hurrying down the street.She looked down the road to see if anyone was coming.There is a pleasant little cafe bar a hundred yards down the road.The bus stop is a bit further down on the left-hand side.5SG in or towards the south [≠ up]: They drove all the way down from Boston to Miami. They sailed down the east coast of Africa. Now he's bought a villa down south. a trip down Mexico way
south
They drove all the way down from Boston to Miami.They sailed down the east coast of Africa.Now he's bought a villa down south.a trip down Mexico way6 at or to a place that is not far away : She's just gone down to the shops. I saw her down at the station this morning.
somewhere local
She's just gone down to the shops.I saw her down at the station this morning.7 away from the place where a river starts [≠ up]: Chunks of ice came floating down the river.
river
Chunks of ice came floating down the river.8 used with verbs that mean 'fasten' to show that something is fastened firmly to the surface or object below it : The coffin lid had been nailed down.
fastened to a surface
The coffin lid had been nailed down.9 at or towards a level or amount that is less [≠ up]: Keep your speed down. House prices have come down in recent months. Turn the radio down.
less
Keep your speed down.House prices have come down in recent months.Turn the radio down.10DS losing to an opponent by a certain number of points
losing
11TC used with verbs that mean 'write' to show that you write something on paper or in a book : I'll write down the address for you. Start by jotting down a few ideas. Let's put you down as self-employed.
written
I'll write down the address for you.Start by jotting down a few ideas.Let's put you down as self-employed.12 if you are down for something, your name is on a list of people who want to do something or are intended to do something
on a list
down for Purvis is down for the 200 metre freestyle event. We've already put his name down for nursery school.
Purvis is down for the 200 metre freestyle event.We've already put his name down for nursery school.13 from an earlier time in history to a later time or to people who are born in later times : a person whose words and actions have inspired millions of people down the centuries This knowledge was handed down in the family from father to son. The story has been passed down the generations for a thousand years.
to later times
a person whose words and actions have inspired millions of people down the centuriesThis knowledge was handed down in the family from father to son.The story has been passed down the generations for a thousand years. down to traditions that have come down to us from medieval times
traditions that have come down to us from medieval times14BB paid to someone immediately : A top quality freezer for only £20 down and £5 a week for a year.
paid immediately
A top quality freezer for only £20 down and £5 a week for a year.15 from top to bottom : I want you to wash my car down.
every part
I want you to wash my car down.16MI in or into your stomach as a result of swallowing : Meg's been very ill and can't keep her food down. He gulped down the coffee.
swallowed
Meg's been very ill and can't keep her food down.He gulped down the coffee.17 unhappy or sad : Tim's been feeling down.
sad
Tim's been feeling down.18TDTD if a computer is down, it is not working [≠ up]
computer
19 if an action or decision is down to you, it is your responsibility : It's down to me to make sure that everyone is happy.
be down to somebody
It's down to me to make sure that everyone is happy.➔ be up to somebody
at up1 (19b)20 to be the result of one person's actions or one particular thing : Chris's success is all down to him.
be down to somebody/something
Chris's success is all down to him.21 to be left with only a small amount of something : We're down to our last five dollars.
be down to your last pound/dollar/litre etc
We're down to our last five dollars.22 including everything or everyone, even the smallest thing or the least important person : Everyone uses the cafeteria, from the managing director down to the office boy. The plans were all complete down to the last detail.
down to something/somebody
Everyone uses the cafeteria, from the managing director down to the office boy.The plans were all complete down to the last detail.24 used to say that you strongly oppose a government, leader etc and want them to lose their power : Down with the government!
Down with somebody/something
spokenPPPDown with the government!25 to have a severe attitude towards someone or something, especially when this is unfair : Why is Mark so down on her at the moment?
be down on somebody/something
informalWhy is Mark so down on her at the moment?26SEC used to say that someone leaves or has left a university at the end of a period of study
leaving university
British English27 already done or completed : Well, you've passed your second test, so it's two down and four more to go.
completed
Well, you've passed your second test, so it's two down and four more to go.➔ be down on your luck
at luck1 (17)WORD FOCUS: sadWORD FOCUS: sad unhappy sad because of the situation you are in
miserable very sad
depressed sad for a long time, and feeling that your life will never get better
gloomy/glum looking sad
down/down in the dumps sad and without much interest in life - usually not in a serious or permanent way
broken-hearted very sad because someone has ended a romantic relationship with you
homesick sad because you are a long way from your home and your friends
➔ See also sad
