shut them down

USAGE SUMMARY

"shut them down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to ending or ceasing activity, typically with regards to systems or organizations. For example: "The government decided to shut them down in order to prevent further spread of the virus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shut them down?

The Guardian

"We never tried to shut them down".

The New York Times

Let's shut them down,"' she recalled.

The New York Times

"If it doesn't, we'll shut them down".

The New York Times

We pretty much shut them down".

The New York Times - Sports

"Am I going to shut them down?

The New York Times - Sports

Let's not shut them down for good.

The New York Times

"The economics will shut them down, the public pressure will shut them down.

The Guardian

You go back out and try to shut them down".

The New York Times - Sports

They know I'm not trying to shut them down".

The New York Times - Science

We knew we were going to shut them down again".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shut them down" when you want to convey a sense of finality or forceful cessation of activity. It can apply to physical entities like businesses or abstract concepts like operations or discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "shut them down" for temporary pauses or minor interruptions. This phrase implies a more permanent or significant stoppage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shut them down" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It typically serves as a directive or descriptive phrase indicating the cessation of an activity, operation, or entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Sports

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shut them down" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that conveys the action of stopping or terminating something. Ludwig AI confirms this. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, its effectiveness in conveying a sense of finality makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news reporting and general discussions. When writing, be mindful of the implication of a forceful and significant stoppage, and consider more formal alternatives for academic or highly professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close them down

Focuses on the physical closure of a business or organization.

halt their operations

Emphasizes stopping ongoing activities or processes.

put an end to them

Highlights the termination of something, often negative behavior or activities.

terminate their existence

Suggests a more formal and complete ending, often used for organizations.

suppress them

Implies the use of force or authority to stop something from continuing.

bring them to a standstill

Focuses on causing a complete cessation of movement or activity.

curtail their activities

Suggests a reduction or limitation of activities, rather than a complete stop.

nullify them

Focuses on rendering something invalid or without effect.

squash them

Implies forceful suppression or crushing of opposition.

deactivate them

Suggests making something inoperative or inactive, especially systems or devices.

FAQs

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

You can use "shut them down" to describe ending an activity, stopping a process, or closing an organization. For example: "The authorities decided to shut them down to prevent further spread of misinformation."

What can I say instead of "shut them down"?

You can use alternatives like "close them down", "halt their operations", or "put an end to them" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "shut them down" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "shut them down" can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "terminate their existence" or "cease their operations".

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

"Shut them down" often implies a more forceful or immediate action, while "close them down" can refer to a more gradual or planned closure.