she turned down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she turned down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has rejected or declined an offer, invitation, or proposal. Example: "She turned down the job offer because it didn't meet her salary expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She turned down his proposal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She turned down the role.

The New York Times - Arts

She turned down Titanic.

The Guardian - Film

While flattered, she turned down the offer.

The Economist

She turned down parts, she learned French.

The Guardian - Film

She turned down I'm a Celebrity.

The Guardian

She turned down orders from her biggest customer.

The New York Times

She turned down a one-bedroom near Green-Wood Cemetery.

The New York Times

Soon after, she turned down his marriage proposal.

The New York Times - Health

Villiers did not say what role she turned down.

The Guardian

Maggie remembers when she turned down a date with Durwood.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she turned down", ensure the context clearly indicates what was rejected – an offer, a proposal, an invitation, etc. This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "she turned down" when the intended meaning is simply that she changed direction while walking or driving; use "she turned" instead. "She turned down a street" means she took a side street, while "she turned down the offer" means she rejected it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she turned down" functions as a phrasal verb indicating rejection or refusal. It is used to describe someone's decision not to accept something that has been offered or proposed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

100%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she turned down" is a grammatically sound and very common phrasal verb used to express that a female individual rejected something offered, like a job, proposal, or invitation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a broad range of contexts, though it most frequently appears in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the rejected item is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "she rejected" or "she declined". Remembering these tips ensures your writing remains clear and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she rejected

Replaces the phrasal verb with a single verb, offering a more direct synonym.

she declined

Another single-word verb alternative, similar in meaning but potentially more formal.

she refused

Emphasizes a more assertive rejection than "turned down".

she said no to

A simple and direct way of expressing rejection.

she passed on

More informal, suggesting a decision not to pursue something.

she wouldn't accept

Expresses a firm refusal to take something offered.

she opted out of

Implies a conscious choice to withdraw from an opportunity.

she gave it a pass

An idiom meaning to decline an invitation or opportunity.

she dismissed

Suggests a quick or peremptory rejection.

she wasn't interested in

Indicates a lack of desire or enthusiasm.

FAQs

What does "she turned down" mean?

The phrase "she turned down" means she rejected or refused something, such as an offer, invitation, or proposal.

What can I say instead of "she turned down"?

You can use alternatives like "she rejected", "she declined", or "she refused" depending on the context.

Is "she turned down" formal or informal?

The phrase "she turned down" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

How to use "she turned down" in a sentence?

You can use "she turned down" like this: "She turned down the job offer because the salary was too low" or "She turned down his marriage proposal after dating for only a month".