Phrasal verb
be down
To be down means to feel sad or discouraged.
Meanings
to feel sad or discouraged
to be broken or not working (for a machine or system)
to have decreased (in level, amount, or value)
Definition
If you are down, you feel sad, disappointed, or low in energy. It often describes a temporary mood rather than a long-term situation. People might be down because something went wrong, or simply because they are tired or stressed.
Examples
- I was down after the meeting ended badly.
- She’s been down since her friend moved away.
- He felt down when his team lost the final.
- They were down all weekend because the plans fell through.
- Are you down today, or just tired?
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "be down" (sad) with "be down for" (willing to do something) and use the wrong preposition.
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.