cool down

To become less hot.

• Let the soup cool down.
• The engine cooled down after we stopped.
• Has the room cooled down enough to sleep in?

Similar words: cool

Opposites: heat up, warm up

Common phrases: cool down slowly, cool down completely, cool down a little

To make something less hot.

• The fan helps cool down the room.
• We cooled the engine down with water.
• Can you cool this soup down a little?

How to use it: cool something down (Open the window to cool the room down.)

Similar words: cool, chill

Opposites: heat up

Common phrases: cool down something, cool down food

To become calmer after feeling angry, worried, or excited.

• Please cool down before we talk.
• He cooled down after a short walk.
• Have you cooled down enough to discuss this?

How to use it: cool down after something (She needed to cool down after the argument.)

Similar words: calm down, settle down

Opposites: get worked up

Common phrases: cool down first, cool down after something

To become less strong or active.

• Demand may cool down soon.
• The housing market cooled down last winter.
• Tensions are cooling down after the peace talks.

Similar words: ease, subside, slow down

Opposites: intensify

Common phrases: cool down gradually, cool down considerably

To help someone feel calmer when they are angry, worried, or excited.

• Try to cool him down.
• Her gentle voice cooled the children down.
• Can anyone cool down the angry crowd?

How to use it: cool someone down (A quiet conversation helped cool him down.)

Similar words: calm, soothe

Opposites: agitate

Common phrases: cool down someone, cool down children