turn down

To say no to an offer, request, or person who wants something from you.

• I turned down the job.
• Why did you turn her invitation down?
• They have turned down three applications this week.

How to use it: turn down someone/something (He turned down an invitation to dinner.); turn someone/something down (The bank turned her down for a loan.)

Similar words: refuse, reject, decline

Opposites: accept

Common phrases: turn down someone, turn down something, turn down help

To use a control to make a sound quieter, a light weaker, or something less hot.

• Please turn down the music.
• She turned the oven down after ten minutes.
• Can you turn down the lights a little?

How to use it: turn down something (Please turn down the radio.); turn something down (The room is too hot; turn the heating down.)

Similar words: lower, reduce

Opposites: turn up

Common phrases: turn down something, turn down music, turn down heat

To move or fold something so that it points down or lies lower.

• Turn down your collar.
• He turned down the corner of the page.
• The hotel staff had turned the blankets down.

How to use it: turn down something (Turn down the collar before putting on your jacket.); turn something down (She turned the top sheet down neatly.)

Similar words: fold down

Common phrases: turn down collars, turn down blankets, turn down something