Phrasal verb
slow down
Meanings
To reduce speed; to go more slowly.
To make something happen more slowly; to reduce the speed of a process or activity.
To calm down and take more time; to stop rushing.
Definition
To slow down means to reduce speed or activity and move or happen less quickly.
To slow down is to do something at a lower speed or pace than before. It can describe a person, a vehicle, a process, or a general level of activity. People also use it as a request to be less fast so others can follow or stay safe.
Examples
- I need to slow down when I read this accent.
- Could you slow down so I can keep up?
- He slowed down at the corner because the road was wet.
- The technician slowed down the machine to check the vibration.
- They slowed down and enjoyed the walk through the park.
Common mistake
Learners often say "slow down the speed" instead of simply "slow down" or "reduce the speed."
More intransitive phrasal verbs
- wake up To stop sleeping and become awake.
- blow up To blow up means to suddenly explode or to become suddenly very angry.
- calm down To calm down means to become less upset, angry, or excited.
- slow up To slow up means to become slower or to make someone or something go more slowly.
- burn down To burn down means to be completely destroyed by fire.