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English Phrase of the Day

shut down



Definitions

English > English
shut down
     1. v. To close, terminate, or end.
           They are planning to shut down the entire building at the end of the month.
     2. v. To turn off or stop.
           It's a good idea to shut down the machine before you leave.
           My computer is shutting down as we speak.
     3. v. (figuratively, intransitive) To emotionally withdraw into oneself as a defense mechanism; to block out external stressors.
           I can't talk to him; he just shuts down anytime I try.
Analysis
shut  ©
     1. v. To close, to stop from being open.
           Please shut the door.
           The light was so bright I had to shut my eyes.
     2. v. (intransitive) To close, to stop being open.
           If you wait too long, the automatic door will shut.
down  ©
     1. n. (especially southern England) A hill, especially a chalk hill; rolling grassland
           We went for a walk over the downs.
           The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east England.
     2. n. (usually plural) A field, especially one used for horse racing.
     3. n. (mostly) A tract of poor, sandy, undulating or hilly land near the sea, covered with fine turf which serves chiefly for the grazing of sheep.

Example Sentences

We'd have to shut down operations completely. 



Review previous phrases

get rid ofas ofmake foras to
behind closed doorsdevil's advocateshut downgive a damn
over hereonce upon a timein a nutshellbuy it
clean outchain reactionkeep an eye onfade away





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