shut down

If a business or organization does this, it stops operating, for a time or forever.

• The factory shut down.
• They shut down the business after twenty years.
• Will the school be shut down permanently?

How to use it: shut something down (The owners shut the factory down last winter.)

Similar words: close, close down

Opposites: open

Common phrases: shut down completely, shut down something

To stop a machine or computer from working, or for it to stop working.

• Shut down your laptop.
• The engine shut down without warning.
• Have you shut the machine down yet?

How to use it: shut something down (Shut the computer down before you unplug it.)

Similar words: turn off, switch off

Opposites: start

Common phrases: shut down something, shut down automatically

To firmly reject an idea or stop someone from speaking or doing something.

• They shut down my idea.
• The manager shut her down before she could explain.
• Why did you shut down that discussion?

How to use it: shut someone/something down (The chair shut the discussion down immediately.)

Similar words: reject, silence, block

Common phrases: shut down someone, shut down something

To stop serving people and finish the jobs needed to close for the day.

• The bar shuts down at midnight.
• We cleaned the counters while shutting down for the night.
• Staff shut down the service after the last customer left.

How to use it: shut down at + time (The kitchen shuts down at midnight.)

Similar words: close, close up

Opposites: open

Common phrases: shut down nightly, shut down service

To prevent a person, plan, or activity from having any useful effect.

• We shut down their attack.
• The defense shut down every attempt to score.
• How can we shut down their passing game?

How to use it: shut someone/something down (Our defenders shut their best player down.)

Similar words: neutralize, stop, disable

Common phrases: shut down someone, shut down something

To stop talking or showing feelings because you feel hurt, frightened, or overwhelmed.

• He shuts down when he is upset.
• After the argument, she shut down and refused to talk.
• I tend to shut down under pressure.

Similar words: withdraw, close off

Common phrases: shut down emotionally, shut down completely