wind down

USAGE SUMMARY

"wind down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase that means to become gradually slower or calmer. For example, You should try to wind down after a long day at work by taking a warm bath or reading a book.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Hostess Brands moved to wind down operations.

The New York Times

And learning to wind down before bed.

The New York Times

Do you ever wind down?

The Guardian - Music

How do you wind down afterwards?

The Guardian

Do you have to wind down afterwards?

The Guardian

It helps to wind down afterwards.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

That's a quite nice little wind-down.

The Guardian

"It needed a managed wind-down.

The Guardian

It's a lush Sunday wind-down.

The Guardian - Music

Consider the wind-down scenario.

TechCrunch

Uber has since confirmed the wind-down.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wind down" to describe relaxation, ensure the context clearly indicates a transition from a state of activity or stress. For instance, "After a long day, I like to "wind down" with a cup of tea".

Common error

Avoid using "wind down" in situations that require immediate action or high energy. Saying "We need to "wind down" the rescue operation" is inappropriate; instead, use a phrase like "conclude" or "finish" to reflect the urgency.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wind down" is as a phrasal verb. It typically modifies a verb, indicating a process of slowing, relaxing, or concluding. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys a sense of gradual reduction or relaxation in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wind down" is a common and versatile phrasal verb used to describe the process of relaxing, slowing, or concluding something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in a wide array of contexts. While generally neutral in register, its usage is most frequent in news and media, and less so in formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "relax", "unwind", and "calm down" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwind

Very similar in meaning, often used to describe relaxing after a period of stress or activity.

relax

A more general term for reducing tension, applicable in a wider range of contexts.

calm down

Focuses more on reducing anxiety or excitement, suitable when emotional relaxation is the goal.

de-stress

Specifically emphasizes the reduction of stress, useful when stress relief is the primary concern.

slow down

Focuses on reducing the pace of activity, applicable when physical or operational tempo needs adjustment.

chill out

An informal way to say relax, best suited for casual conversations.

ease off

Suggests a gradual reduction in effort or intensity, suitable for describing reduced pressure or workload.

taper off

Implies a gradual decrease or reduction, often used for processes or activities that diminish over time.

come to a close

Used to indicate that something is ending or finishing, often in a formal or structured setting.

draw to a close

Similar to "come to a close", suggesting a gradual completion or termination.

FAQs

How can I use "wind down" in a sentence?

You can use "wind down" to describe relaxing after a busy day, like "I like to "wind down" by reading a book" or to describe the end of an event or project, such as "The project is expected to "wind down" by the end of the year".

What can I say instead of "wind down"?

You can use alternatives like "relax", "unwind", or "calm down" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "wind down" or "wind-down"?

"Wind down" (two words) is typically used as a verb phrase. "Wind-down" (hyphenated) can be used as a noun or adjective, such as in "a "wind-down" routine" or "the "wind-down" phase".

What's the difference between "wind down" and "shut down"?

"Wind down" implies a gradual decrease in activity or intensity, while "shut down" means to completely stop or close something abruptly. For example, a business might "wind down" operations over several months, but a machine might "shut down" immediately due to a malfunction.