went down well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "went down well" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something was received positively or well by someone else. Example: The new presentation went down well with the audience, receiving a standing ovation at the end.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It went down well.

The Economist

The lecture went down well.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it went down well.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Neither action went down well.

The Guardian - Opinion

It went down well with the audience.

The Guardian

"It went down well," she said.

The New York Times - Style

It went down well with readers, however.

The Guardian

It went down well in Kinshasa, too.

The Guardian - Film

At the time, this kind of thing went down well.

The Guardian - Film

Both proposals went down well with the conference audience.

Independent

The joke went down well because it was true.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a food or drink, consider using alternatives like "was enjoyed" or "tasted great" for a more specific and vivid description.

Common error

Avoid using "went down well" when you mean something literally descended successfully. This phrase is idiomatic and refers to positive reception, not physical movement. Use "descended smoothly" or "was lowered without issue" in literal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went down well" functions as an idiomatic expression, acting as a predicate to describe the positive reception or success of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "went down well" is a grammatically sound and widely used idiom that signifies positive reception or success. According to Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When aiming for precision, consider alternatives such as "was well-received" or "proved popular", but be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation in literal contexts. The phrase enjoys frequent usage and high source quality, making it a reliable choice for expressing favorable outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was well-received

Replaces the phrasal verb with a passive construction using "receive".

was favorably received

Similar to "was well-received" but slightly more formal.

was a success

Conveys that something achieved a positive outcome.

hit the mark

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest something was accurately targeted and effective.

proved popular

Indicates that something gained widespread approval or liking.

landed successfully

Uses a metaphor of landing to indicate successful execution or reception.

resonated positively

Suggests a deep and favorable emotional or intellectual connection.

garnered praise

Highlights that something received positive feedback or commendation.

found favor

Emphasizes that something was viewed with approval or liking.

met with approval

Indicates that something was officially sanctioned or positively endorsed.

FAQs

How can I use "went down well" in a sentence?

You can use "went down well" to describe something that was received positively. For example, "The presentation "went down well" with the executives".

What can I say instead of "went down well"?

You can use alternatives like "was well-received", "was a success", or "proved popular" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "went down well" in formal writing?

While "went down well" is acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "was favorably received" or "met with approval" may be preferred in formal contexts.

What does it mean when something "doesn't go down well"?

When something "doesn't go down well", it means it was not received positively or was met with disapproval. It's the opposite of ""went down well"".