bring down the heat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring down the heat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to suggest reducing intensity, pressure, or excitement in a situation. Example: "After a heated debate, the moderator decided it was time to bring down the heat and encourage a more civil discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But he stressed that that the "the top priority" now was to defuse tension, "bring down the heat" and focus on negotiations and diplomacy.

Huffington Post

Crema fresca and small bits of buttery avocado bring down the heat.

The New York Times - Food

But whatever ailed Wade and threatened to bring down the Heat disappeared as suddenly it had mystifyingly appeared.

The New York Times - Sports

They work it out: build a big fire to bake the flatbreads and then bring down the heat by shoveling the burning logs into the fire pit.

The New York Times - Magazine

A light dusting of turmeric, cumin and other Indian spices gives Commissary's slightly gooey crab cakes a lift, with cucumber and coriander to bring down the heat.

The New York Times - Food

This will bring down the heat.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The oil shock is the culprit, and there is hope that it will end soon, with OPEC increasing production enough to bring down the prices of heating oil, gasoline and aviation fuel, and with them the inflation rate.

The New York Times

Mrs. Clinton's remarks came as she returned to upstate New York, discussing, as she did last week, ways to bring down the cost of heating oil, a matter of concern to voters here during a particularly cold winter.

The New York Times

Before returning to New York City, he called on President Clinton to tap into some of the nation's oil reserves to bring down the cost of home heating oil, which, he said, had more than tripled in some parts of the state from the beginning of the year.

The New York Times

In a move clearly meant to attract the attention of upstate voters in his bid for the Senate, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani said yesterday that he had urged President Clinton to tap the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve to bring down the soaring price of home heating oil.

The New York Times

Earlier in the tournament, a two-decade rivalry between two former champions saw a judge conclude that one of the players, who had failed to qualify to the final, deliberately sabotaged his last heat in order to bring down the other.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In negotiations, use the phrase "bring down the heat" to suggest de-escalating tension and fostering a more productive environment.

Common error

Avoid using "bring down the heat" when you actually intend to increase the intensity of something. This phrase is exclusively about reducing intensity, not amplifying it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring down the heat" functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe the action of reducing intensity or pressure in a given situation. Ludwig's examples show it used in cooking contexts and in discussions of international relations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

21%

Food

14%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bring down the heat" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of reducing intensity, whether literally (in cooking) or figuratively (in tense situations). As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's not overly formal, its neutral register allows for broad applicability. Alternatives like "reduce the intensity" or "cool things down" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use this phrase when the intention is to lessen pressure or excitement, not to increase it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the intensity

Focuses on diminishing the strength or degree of something.

lower the temperature

Specifically refers to decreasing thermal energy or physical heat.

defuse the situation

Implies resolving a tense or dangerous scenario.

alleviate the pressure

Highlights the lessening of stress or strain.

cool things down

Suggests a calming or pacifying effect.

calm the situation

Emphasizes the act of making something less agitated or turbulent.

tone down the rhetoric

Refers to moderating language or speech to be less aggressive.

take the edge off

Suggests softening the severity or impact of something.

ease tensions

Addresses the reduction of strain or conflict between parties.

moderate the reaction

Implies controlling or lessening an emotional or physical response.

FAQs

How can I use "bring down the heat" in a sentence about cooking?

When the sauce started to bubble too vigorously, I decided to "bring down the heat" to a simmer to prevent it from burning.

What does it mean to "bring down the heat" in a negotiation?

In negotiations, to "bring down the heat" means to reduce the tension and intensity of the discussion, often to facilitate a more productive dialogue.

Are there other phrases I can use instead of "bring down the heat"?

Yes, alternatives include "reduce the intensity", "lower the temperature" (literally or figuratively), or "defuse the situation", depending on the specific context.

Is "bring down the heat" formal or informal?

The phrase "bring down the heat" can be used in both formal and informal settings, although it's more common in news, media, and general conversation. The appropriateness depends on the specific context and audience.