down tools

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'down tools' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in the context of a strike or protest, when workers stop working and "down tools" in order to demonstrate their grievances. For example, "The workers decided to down tools until their demands were met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The demons down tools for a chat.

The Guardian

They could down tools and blame the government.

The Guardian

So should we all down tools and up leads?

The Guardian - Money

If they down tools, the DLR doesn't run.

The Guardian

The minute school is out too many kids down tools.

Independent

"But the one thing I'm not going to do is lay down tools.

The Guardian - Sport

There was also the worry that he would effectively down tools during the season.

The Guardian - Sport

Every Friday, its 35 staff down tools to play console games.

The Guardian - Tech

As sun sets, we down tools, gather round and watch the flames.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No one would watch 9½ Weeks for fun now; anyone would down tools for Top Gun.

The Guardian - Film

The police union has also said its members will down tools on Saturday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase is highly effective in journalistic writing to add a more evocative, metaphorical layer to descriptions of labor disputes or unexpected breaks.

Common error

Avoid using "down tools" in strictly formal technical manuals where a literal instruction to "put down tools" (lower equipment) is intended. In such cases, use "put down the tools" to avoid the implication of a strike or protest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "down tools" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it is used as an intransitive verb where "down" acts as the action of putting something away or stopping. It is frequently employed to describe the collective action of workers ceasing their duties, often as a form of protest or a response to an external event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "down tools" is a robust and widely recognized idiom in English, particularly within British, Australian and international journalistic circles. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and highly effective way to describe a collective work stoppage or a sudden end to labor. Whether used literally, as in the case of construction workers, or metaphorically, as seen in snippets referring to developers or even football players, it conveys a clear message of cessation. While "go on strike" remains the formal standard for labor law, "down tools" offers a more evocative and stylistically rich alternative for general writing, media reports and professional commentary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go on strike

More formal and commonly used in legal or official labor contexts

walk out

Emphasizes the physical act of leaving the workplace as a protest

withdraw labor

A more formal and technical term often used in industrial relations

cease work

A neutral, descriptive term without the idiomatic or protest-related connotation

stop work

Simple and direct, lacks the specific cultural nuance of labor protest

industrial action

A broad, professional umbrella term that includes strikes and work-to-rule

picket

Focuses specifically on the act of protesting outside the workplace

call a halt

Focuses on the decision to stop an activity rather than just labor

suspend operations

A formal, corporate way to describe stopping work or production

abandon work

Suggests a more permanent or irresponsible cessation of duties

FAQs

How do I use "down tools" in a sentence?

You can use it as a verb phrase to describe stopping work, such as: "The factory workers decided to "down tools" after the pay negotiations failed."

What is the difference between "down tools" and "go on strike"?

While both refer to stopping work, "go on strike" is more formal and specific to legal labor actions, whereas "down tools" is more idiomatic and can refer to any abrupt cessation of work, including informal ones.

Is "down tools" informal?

It is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. While frequently used in high-quality journalism like "The Guardian", it is less common in strictly academic or legal documents.

Can I say "downed tools" for the past tense?

Yes, it follows standard verb conjugation. For example: "The entire crew "downed tools" in protest of the new safety regulations."