shut it down

USAGE SUMMARY

"shut it down" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used as a command or request to stop or turn something off. For example: - Please shut it down before you leave the office. - The computer crashed, we need to shut it down and restart it. - The government decided to shut down the nuclear plant due to safety concerns.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Why shut it down?

The New York Times

Should we shut it down?

The New Yorker

You can't shut it down".

The New York Times

Shut it down, now.

The Guardian

"It is better to shut it down".

The New York Times

People screamed: "Shut it down!

The New York Times

Shut it down!" Drums pounded.

The New York Times

We will shut it down".

The New York Times

Don't shut it down, man".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

And it shuts it down definitively.

The New York Times

"We're not shutting it down".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shut it down" when you want to convey a sense of urgency or finality in stopping something. It's suitable for both technical and non-technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "shut it down" in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or legal documents. Opt for more professional alternatives like "terminate", "cease", or "discontinue".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shut it down" is that of an imperative phrasal verb, used to issue a command or instruction to stop something. As seen in Ludwig, it's frequently used in direct requests or orders to cease an activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shut it down" is a versatile imperative phrasal verb used to command the immediate cessation of an action or process. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally considered neutral, its informality suggests more professional alternatives in academic or legal writing. To avoid sounding too informal in formal situations, consider alternatives such as "terminate it" or "cease it". Overall, understand that the widespread use and clear meaning of "shut it down" render it a powerful and frequently used phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Terminate it

Focuses on formally ending something.

Halt it

Implies bringing something to a sudden stop.

Cease it

Suggests stopping an action or process.

Close it

Refers to closing a business or operation.

Put an end to it

Emphasizes bringing something to a definitive conclusion.

Bring it to a standstill

Highlights causing something to stop moving or progressing.

Deactivate it

Emphasizes disabling a device or system.

Discontinue it

Implies stopping something that was ongoing or regular.

Power it off

Specifically refers to turning off an electrical device.

Turn it off

A general way to indicate stopping a device or system.

FAQs

How can I use "shut it down" in a sentence?

You can use "shut it down" as a command to stop something immediately, such as "shut it down now", or to describe the act of terminating an operation or system, such as "the company decided to "shut it down permanently"".

What's a less informal way to say "shut it down"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "terminate the operation", "cease all activities", or "discontinue the program".

Is it grammatically correct to say "shut it down"?

Yes, "shut it down" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It functions as an imperative phrasal verb.

What's the difference between "shut it down" and "close it down"?

"Shut it down" and "close it down" are often used interchangeably, but "close it down" often refers to businesses or organizations ceasing operations, while "shut it down" can apply to systems, devices, or even conversations.