Phrasal verbs · Free lesson
What does turn down mean? Volume and offers
The same two words can describe quieter music or saying no. The situation tells you which meaning fits.
Professor Scott MendozaMeaning in this lesson
turn down
To lower a setting, such as volume, or to refuse an offer or request. The surrounding situation tells you which meaning is intended.
Example
“The podcast is too loud. Please turn it down.”
Make the podcast quieter.
The short answer
With a noisy device, turn down means reduce its setting. With an offer, it means refuse. Read the whole situation to choose the meaning.
Read the situation, not just the two words.
Start with what the speaker is talking about. A loud device points to the volume meaning. An offer that someone chooses not to accept points to the refusal meaning. Both uses are common. You do not need to translate each word separately; connect the whole expression to what is happening.
One expression. Two clear situations.
The podcast is too loud. Please turn the volume down.
I turned down the weekend shift because I have an exam.
The first speaker wants less sound. The second speaker chooses not to work that shift. “Turned” is the past form of “turn.”
Find the intended meaning
Find the clue
Is the speaker discussing noise, a setting or an offer?
Paraphrase it
Try “make it quieter” or “say no to it.” Which fits?
Read the whole message
Check the reason or result. It should match the meaning you chose.
Try it now
Check what you’ve learned.
Read all answers and explanations
The TV is too loud. What does “turn it down” mean here?
Lower the volume.The noise tells us this is the volume meaning.
Nora turned down a job because the hours did not suit her. What happened?
She refused the job.The job offer was refused; this is not about sound.
Which sentence clearly uses the volume meaning?
Leo turned down the radio.The radio gives us an equipment context.
Put it into practice
Choose the meaning that fits.
Keep the TV on but make it quieter. Then explain why you refused an extra shift.
- Kai
The TV is too loud while I’m working. Can you make it quieter?
See a model answer
- Kai
The TV is too loud while I’m working. Can you make it quieter?
- You
Sure. I’ll turn it down.
- Kai
Thanks. Did you accept the extra shift at work?
- You
No. I turned it down because I have class.
- Kai
That makes sense. Your class comes first.
The TV context makes “turn it down” mean reduce the volume. The extra-shift context makes it mean refuse an offer.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Does “turn down” always mean refuse?
No. It can also mean reduce a device setting. The object and surrounding situation help you choose the meaning.
“Turn the music down; I’m trying to sleep.” This is about volume.
Is turning the volume down the same as turning the TV off?
No. You can reduce the sound while the TV stays on. Turning it off stops it operating.
Take it into your day
Notice the next time you want less noise or need to refuse an offer. Say one full sentence with “turn down” and make the situation clear.
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