the system went down

USAGE SUMMARY

"the system went down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this when talking about the failure of a system or a device. For example, "Yesterday, the computer system went down and we had to shut down operations for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

On Wednesday, the system went down for 16 minutes.

The New York Times

"I tried to call the police [on my mobile], but so did 200 others, so the system went down.

The Guardian

So in 1999, when they decided to build a backup, or "hot," site, they opted for one that would be used only if the system went down for several hours.

Harvard Business Review

Because first of all, back in that era, every so often, maybe once a month, our I.T. folks would say, "All the e-mails today have been lost, if you were expecting any you need to write people and tell them to resend them because the system went down".

The New Yorker

The system went down at 8 00 PM PDT last night, and a notice that the online auction houses site is still unavailable remains posted on its front page.

Forbes

The fact that the system went down indicates that the FCC comment system, known as the Electronic Communication Filing System or ECFS, isn't built to withstand the kind of mass feedback that comment systems generally exist to receive.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

No one really cares if the system goes down for an hour.

The New York Times

Elements can also be designed to substitute for one another in case part of the system goes down.

Harvard Business Review

But typically, the landlord would not want to be involved in providing the service, because he "doesn't want any liability if the system goes down," Mr. Popkin said.

The New York Times

Supervisors get into trouble if they go out on a limb and make a technical mistake (and a bank sues), but face fewer problems if everybody makes the same material mistake and the system goes down.

The Economist

Left to their own devices, IT units are likely to opt for the highest levels providing Cadillac service when a Buick will do because the IT unit will be judged on such things as how often the system goes down.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the system went down", ensure the context clearly identifies which system is being referred to, especially in technical documentation or reports. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the system went down" without specifying which system failed. For example, instead of saying "Due to the power outage, the system went down", specify "Due to the power outage, the building's HVAC system went down".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the system went down" functions as a statement indicating that a particular system has ceased to operate correctly. It is commonly used to report a malfunction or failure, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the system went down" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood expression used to indicate that a system has stopped functioning. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While its frequency is uncommon, it is widely used in news, scientific, and formal contexts. Related phrases include "the system crashed" and "the system failed", offering similar meanings. When using the phrase, specificity is crucial to avoid ambiguity. The term is considered neutral in register, making it suitable for various situations. Given its clear meaning and widespread recognition, "the system went down" is a reliable way to communicate a system failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the system crashed

Replaces "went down" with "crashed", implying a sudden and complete failure.

the system failed

Substitutes "went down" with "failed", suggesting a more general inability to function.

the system stopped working

Uses "stopped working" instead of "went down", indicating a simple cessation of operation.

the system malfunctioned

Uses "malfunctioned" instead of "went down", indicating an improper or abnormal function.

the system is offline

Replaces "went down" with "is offline", specifying that the system is no longer accessible or operational.

the system is out of service

Changes "went down" to "is out of service", implying a temporary unavailability.

the system shut down unexpectedly

Adds "shut down unexpectedly", emphasizing the sudden and unplanned nature of the failure.

the system is inoperative

Replaces "went down" with "is inoperative", offering a more formal term for not being operational.

the system ceased functioning

Substitutes "went down" with "ceased functioning", providing a more formal and detailed way to describe the system's failure.

the system experienced an outage

Replaces "went down" with "experienced an outage", suggesting a temporary interruption of service.

FAQs

What does "the system went down" mean?

The phrase "the system went down" means that a particular system, usually a technological or mechanical one, has stopped working or is no longer functional.

What can I say instead of "the system went down"?

You can use alternatives like "the system crashed", "the system failed", or "the system malfunctioned" depending on the context.

Is "the system went down" formal or informal?

The phrase "the system went down" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more technical terms might be preferred in highly formal settings.

How to use "the system went down" in a sentence?

You can use "the system went down" in a sentence like this: "Due to a power surge, the entire network system went down, causing significant disruptions to our operations".