come down

USAGE SUMMARY

"come down" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is commonly used as an imperative, in which case it has the same meaning as "descend," but it can also be used as an informal phrase to express the idea that something has become less intense ("The storm has come down considerably"). For example: "Come down the stairs and help set the table." "After months of fighting, the situation has finally come down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Come down".

The New York Times

Their guards come down.

The New York Times

Come down and see.

The New York Times - Arts

"Asset prices come down.

The New Yorker

Come down, Abdellah.

The New York Times

Please, come down".

The New Yorker

"Come down, Nermin!

Independent

"Come down," he repeated.

The New York Times

— Come down, quick!

The New Yorker

"Come down immediately".

The New York Times

Prices might come down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come down" in an imperative sense (e.g. asking someone to move to a lower level), ensure the instructions are clear and unambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "come down" in contexts where the intended figurative meaning (e.g., calming down, prices decreasing) might be misinterpreted as a literal descent. Use more specific language for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "come down" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating a movement from a higher to a lower position, or a decrease in intensity or amount. Ludwig AI highlights a dual function of descent and decrease.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "come down" is a versatile expression with several distinct meanings, primarily revolving around descent and decrease. It is grammatically sound and very common, particularly in News & Media. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions as both a literal description of downward movement and a figurative expression of reduced intensity. When using "come down", ensure that the context clarifies the intended meaning to avoid ambiguity, as the source material suggests a variety of applications from calming down to describing an asset value reduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descend

This alternative is a more formal synonym, indicating a downward movement.

fall

Implies a rapid and often uncontrolled descent.

decrease

Refers to a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity.

reduce

Indicates a deliberate effort to make something smaller or lower.

subside

Suggests a gradual decline in intensity or level.

lower oneself

Emphasizes the act of diminishing one's status or dignity.

alight

Focuses on dismounting or stepping down from something.

de-escalate

Specifically refers to reducing the intensity of a conflict or tense situation.

get off

Informal way to describe exiting or descending from a vehicle or platform.

touch down

Primarily used in the context of an aircraft landing.

FAQs

How can I use "come down" in a sentence?

You can use "come down" in many contexts. For example, you can say, "Please "come down" here so we can talk" (literal descent), or "The fever should "come down" soon" (decrease in intensity).

What are some alternatives to "come down" when referring to a literal descent?

When referring to a literal descent, you can use alternatives like "descend", "lower yourself", or "climb down".

How is "come down" used when referring to prices or costs?

When discussing prices or costs, "come down" means to decrease or reduce. For example, "We hope the prices will "come down" after the sale."

What does it mean when someone says they are "coming down" from something?

In informal contexts, "coming down" can refer to the experience of recovering from a high, often associated with drug use or intense excitement. For example, "After the concert, I was really "coming down"."