shut down
/ˌʃʌt ˈdaʊn/
Reviewed on
Type
Phrasal verb
Meaning
To stop the operations of a business, factory, or machine, either permanently or temporarily.
The factory shut down after fifty years of continuous production in the city.
Did management finally shut the old branch down?
To turn off a computer or electronic device completely.
Make sure you shut down your laptop before leaving the office today.
Why hasn't the server shut down yet?
To prevent an opponent or opposing plan from succeeding or making progress.
The new security system shut down every attempt to break into the network.
Her proposal was quickly shut down by senior management.
To stop talking, reacting, or showing feelings, especially because of stress or emotional pain.
He tends to shut down whenever someone criticizes his work.
Why do you shut down every time we talk about money?
How it's used
This means “close an operation or turn off a machine”
Both orders mean the same thing.
- shut down the plant
- shut the plant down
it and them go in the middle: “shut it down.” Not “shut down it.”
The city decided to shut down the plant due to safety violations.
Collocations
- shut down operations
- shut down production
- shut down completely
- shut down a computer
- shut down the system
- shut down an opponent
Antonyms
- open
- start up