Definition

Verb (transitive) 1. To cause to fall or be lowered: To move something or someone to a lower physical position or level. 2. To cause the defeat, end, or overthrow: To cause the downfall of a person, government, or system. 3. To reduce or decrease: To cause something to become less in amount, level, or intensity. 4. To cause to land: To bring an aircraft or its passengers to the ground. 5. To cause a particular emotional or physical effect: To make someone experience a strong feeling or condition, such as sadness or illness.

Usage and Examples

• To cause to fall/lower:
  • Please bring down the suitcase from the attic.
  • The crane was used to bring down the heavy machinery.
• To cause the defeat/overthrow:
  • The scandal brought down the government.
  • The rebels sought to bring down the dictator.
• To reduce or decrease:
  • The store promised to bring down prices.
  • This medicine should bring down your fever.
• To cause to land:
  • The storm forced the pilot to bring the plane down at a different airport.
• To cause an emotional/physical effect:
  • The sad news really brought her down.
  • That lecture on taxes will bring down the mood of any party.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• To bring down the house: To receive extremely enthusiastic applause and approval from an audience.
  • Her final performance brought down the house.
• To bring someone down a peg (or two): To make a person who is acting arrogantly more humble.
  • His defeat in the debate brought him down a peg.

Variants and Related Words

• Bringdown (noun, informal): Something that causes depression or disappointment.
  • Losing the game was a real bringdown for the team.
• Brought down (past tense and past participle).

Synonyms

• Lower, take down, drop.
• Overthrow, oust, topple, defeat.
• Reduce, cut, decrease, lessen.
• Land (an aircraft).

Phrasal Verbs and Idioms

• Bring down on/upon: To cause something unpleasant to happen to someone.
  • His lies brought suspicion down upon the whole department.
• Bring down to earth: To cause someone to stop dreaming or being unrealistic and face practical realities.
  • Failing the exam brought him down to earth.

Verb

1. cut down on; make a reduction in
   • reduce your daily fat intake
   • The employer wants to cut back health benefits
2. cause to be enthusiastic
   • Her playing brought down the house
3. cause to come to the ground
   • the pilot managed to land the airplane safely
4. impose something unpleasant
   • The principal visited his rage on the students
5. cause the downfall of; of rulers
   • The Czar was overthrown
   • subvert the ruling class
6. move something or somebody to a lower position
   • take down the vase from the shelf