power down

USAGE SUMMARY

"power down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as a verb phrase meaning to shut off or turn off a device or machine that runs on electricity. It can also be used as a noun phrase, referring to the act of shutting off or the state of being turned off. Example: "Before leaving the office, make sure to power down all the computers and printers." In this sentence, "power down" is used as a verb phrase to instruct someone to turn off the computers and printers before leaving.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

(Skift.com) Power Down?

The New York Times

POWER DOWN By 11 30 I'm back home.

The New York Times

Power down with the sun.

Forbes

Just remember to power down before removing the ANT Stick.

TechCrunch

Power down, and clock out.

Huffington Post

So power down and get to sleep!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The AVR's program is stored in nonvolatile (persistent on power-down) programmable Flash memory.

Stanford University

In his address he emphasised the theme of "subsidiarity": pushing power down to local officials.

The Economist

Trees turn harmful CO2 into oxygen Power down.

WikiHow

5. Power Down.

HuffPost

Power down that smartphone for a few minutes.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to turn off a device, "power down" is a clear and concise option appropriate for most contexts. For formal contexts, consider using "deactivate" or "disable".

Common error

Don't use "power down" when you mean simply to reduce energy consumption without completely turning something off. Instead of saying "power down the lights", consider "dim the lights" or "reduce the lighting" if the intention is not to switch them off.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "power down" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of turning off an electronic device or system. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. Examples include "Power down your device" and "Power down computer completely."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "power down" is a common and correct phrasal verb used to describe the action of turning off an electrical device. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is commonly found in instructional and informational contexts, as well as in news articles and technical documents. While it's generally interchangeable with phrases like "turn off" or "switch off", in some formal contexts, alternatives like "deactivate" or "disable" may be more appropriate. Remember to avoid using "power down" when you simply want to reduce energy consumption without completely switching something off. Ludwig's examples confirm its versatility and widespread use in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

power off

Direct synonym, slightly less common.

shut down

Focuses on a complete cessation of operation, often abrupt.

turn off

A more general term for ceasing operation.

switch off

Similar to "turn off", but emphasizes the action of using a switch.

deactivate

Suggests a more formal or technical process of disabling something.

disable

Similar to deactivate, implying a deliberate act to prevent function.

cut power

Emphasizes the interruption of electrical supply.

bring offline

Often used in the context of computer systems or networks.

halt operation

A formal way of saying to stop something from working.

cease functioning

The most formal and technical alternative, suitable for scientific or legal contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "power down" as a verb to describe the act of turning off a device. For example, "Please "power down" your computer before leaving for the day."

What's the difference between "power down" and "shut down"?

"Power down" generally refers to cutting off the power supply, while "shut down" can refer to a more controlled software-initiated process, especially with computers. You might "shut down" your computer through the operating system, which then "powers down" the hardware.

What can I say instead of "power down"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "turn off", "switch off", or "deactivate".

Is it correct to say "power down" instead of "turn off"?

Yes, "power down" is a correct and commonly used alternative to "turn off", particularly when referring to electronic devices or equipment. Both phrases are generally interchangeable.