cool him down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cool him down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to calming someone who is upset or angry. Example: "After the heated argument, I suggested we take a break to cool him down before continuing the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A bottle of water is poured over him in an attempt to cool him down.

Independent

LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw showered and dressed before returning to his locker to speak with reporters late Wednesday night, but the wet hair that he arrived with did little to cool him down.

The New York Times - Sports

In the car, Prater, who knew the intermediary, had worked to cool him down, while Highsmith promised to see if he could find someone who might know the stickup guys and could negotiate with them.

The New York Times - Magazine

But she wanted to be around horses, so at age 29 she abruptly quit her job at Giant Food and went to the racetrack in Bowie, Md. She got a job as a hot walker -- the person who walks a horse to cool him down after a race or a workout -- and thus began her racing life.

The New York Times - Sports

Keepers helped to cool him down by giving the jumbo 350kg infant a nice hose down.

BBC

They tried to cool him down with ice, but it didn't work and he died, Braun said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It took a couple of hours hosing him down to cool him off.

The Guardian - Sport

What this has to do with a fan is a matter of conjecture, but it might help him cool down after being turned down.

The New York Times

He was severely burnt but could still move and, before he was driven away in the ambulance, he sat on the pavement eating an ice lolly the paramedics had given him to help him cool down.

Vice

If a bowler is on the point of boiling over then take him off and let him cool down at long leg.

WikiHow

"Last night, we probably felt a need to give Pete some space to let him cool down and sort some thoughts out.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cool him down" in writing, ensure the context clarifies whether you are referring to a physical temperature reduction or a calming of emotions. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "cool him down" when a more specific term is appropriate. For example, if someone is simply hot from exercise, use "help him cool off" instead of implying an emotional issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cool him down" primarily functions as a verb phrase, specifically a transitive phrasal verb. It requires a direct object ("him") and indicates an action performed on that object. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from physical cooling to emotional calming.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cool him down" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe either the act of reducing someone's body temperature or calming their emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts, primarily in news, media, and general advice scenarios. While generally neutral in register, more formal settings may benefit from precise language. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context makes the meaning clear to avoid any misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

calm him down

This alternative focuses on reducing someone's emotional agitation rather than physical temperature.

settle him down

Suggests making someone more composed or less agitated.

bring him to a calmer state

This phrase emphasizes the process of transitioning someone to a more relaxed condition.

soothe him

This option suggests comforting someone to reduce their distress.

appease him

This alternative implies pacifying someone who is angry or upset.

pacify him

Similar to 'appease', this implies bringing someone to a state of peace or tranquility.

ease his discomfort

Implies reducing someone's physical or emotional distress.

take the edge off

This idiom suggests reducing the intensity of someone's feelings.

lower his temperature

This option is specifically about reducing someone's body heat.

reduce his fever

This phrase is used when someone has a fever and needs to reduce it.

FAQs

What does "cool him down" mean?

The phrase "cool him down" can refer to lowering someone's body temperature or calming their emotions. The specific meaning depends on the context.

How can I use "cool him down" in a sentence?

You can use "cool him down" in a sentence like this: "After the argument, I tried to "calm him down"." or "The keepers helped to "lower his temperature" by hosing him down."

What's a good alternative to "cool him down" when referring to anger?

If you're referring to anger, you can use alternatives like "calm him down", "appease him", or "soothe him".

Is it appropriate to use "cool him down" in formal writing?

While "cool him down" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "bring him to a calmer state" if referring to emotions, or ""lower his temperature"" if referring to body temperature.