Phrasal verb
be down to
Meanings
to be the only remaining reason or factor; to depend on
to be someone’s responsibility or decision
(informal, especially UK) to be willing or eager to do something
Definition
“Be down to” means something is the only remaining cause or choice, or the final decision is someone’s responsibility.
Use “be down to” to say that only one thing remains, so the result depends on that thing. It can also mean a decision or task is someone’s responsibility. In casual British English, it can mean someone is willing or excited to do something.
Examples
- It’s be down to the goalkeeper now.
- The final choice is be down to you.
- Whether the cake rises is be down to her timing.
- If the team wins will be down to their focus in the last minute.
- I’m be down to try the new hiking trail this weekend.
Common mistake
Learners often use it without a subject (wrong: “Is down to you”; right: “It’s down to you”) or write “be down for” when they mean “be down to.”
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.