shut down the engine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shut down the engine" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used in technical or instructional writing to describe the action of turning off a vehicle or machine's engine. Example: "Before leaving the car, remember to shut down the engine and remove the key from the ignition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Most notably, an ingenious "sailing" mode can shut down the engine and decouple it from the wheels, allowing the Cayenne to coast free of mechanical drag.

The New York Times

The Russian Space Agency said in a statement that the Proton-M booster unexpectedly shut down the engine 17 seconds into the flight and crashed more than a mile (2km) away from the Baikonur launch pad.

Independent

This made the fuel in it slosh around, confused the instruments that measure how much fuel is left, and caused the computer to shut down the engine ten seconds early.

The Economist

Japanese firms, for their part, sniff a big new market.In the vanguard is Toyota, which plans to launch a car in 2009 that will shut down the engine if its driver is drunk, using sensors on the steering wheel to measure the alcohol level in the driver's sweat.

The Economist

By 1981 Chrysler faced bankruptcy, with GM and Ford's working capital countable in months.; The macros are so benevolent now that they inhibit Greenspan's ability to spoil the party.; None of this was lost on Paul Volcker, who shut down the engine of wage inflation by bumping up money market rates to 18%.

Forbes

Tony LeVier immediately shut down the engine and glided back to make a successful deadstick landing at Rogers Dry Lake.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

He had to shut down the engines when two passengers suddenly jumped off the wing, fearing that they would not be rescued in time, and started swimming toward the motors.

The New York Times

When I shut down the engines (both jet and rocket) at 1,000mph, the car will initially start to slow down at 3g (60mperper second).

BBC

The control unit managing the delivery of power to the plane's engines will automatically enter a failsafe mode – and shut down the engines – if it has been left on for over 248 days.

BBC

I ran out a lot of anchor line and picked up a couple of bearings to check in case we dragged, then shut down the engines and the world was suddenly very quiet.

Forbes

He then shut down the engines and glided to the peak altitude.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or procedures, use "shut down the engine" to clearly indicate the action of turning off an engine, especially when referring to a controlled or intentional shutdown.

Common error

Avoid using "shut off the engine" if you aim for a more formal tone. While understandable, "shut down" carries a slightly more technical and precise connotation. "Shut off" is perfectly fine in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shut down the engine" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. It describes the action of stopping the engine. As verified by Ludwig, it's correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

30%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shut down the engine" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that instructs one to stop the engine. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It's a versatile phrase found across various contexts, including News & Media and technical documentation. While alternatives like "turn off the engine" exist, "shut down the engine" maintains a neutral tone and is suitable for diverse situations. Be mindful of context when choosing between "shut down" and "shut off", with the former lending itself to more formal settings. Understanding its function and purpose ensures effective communication in both technical and everyday scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn off the engine

Uses a more general verb "turn off" instead of "shut down", implying the same action.

turn the engine off

Reorders the words but maintains the same meaning as "turn off the engine".

stop the engine

Replaces "shut down" with "stop", focusing on the cessation of engine operation.

switch off the engine

Replaces "shut down" with "switch off", a common alternative.

power down the engine

Emphasizes the reduction of power to the engine, resulting in its shutdown.

deactivate the engine

Uses a more technical term, "deactivate", suggesting a deliberate disabling of the engine.

disable the engine

Similar to "deactivate", highlighting the disabling aspect.

halt the engine

Emphasizes bringing the engine to a standstill.

kill the engine

An informal and direct way to express shutting down the engine.

engine shutdown

Transforms the verb phrase into a noun phrase, referring to the action itself.

FAQs

How can I use "shut down the engine" in a sentence?

You can use "shut down the engine" in a sentence to describe the action of turning off the engine of a vehicle or machine. For example: "Before exiting the car, please "shut down the engine"."

What is a more formal way to say "shut down the engine"?

While "shut down the engine" is generally acceptable, you could use "deactivate the engine" or "power down the engine" in a more formal or technical context.

Is it correct to say "shut off the engine" instead of "shut down the engine"?

Yes, "shut off the engine" is also correct, but it is generally considered less formal than ""shut down the engine"". Both phrases have similar meanings and are widely understood.

What does it mean to "shut down the engine"?

"Shut down the engine" means to turn off the engine, stopping its operation. This is commonly done to conserve fuel, prevent overheating, or prepare a vehicle or machine for storage.