Slow down means to lose speed, or to make something go more slowly. You can use it about cars, trains or growing sales. About a person, “slow down” also means to take things easier: to work less and live at a calmer pace.
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car/growth + slows down; slow + something/someone + down; need to slow down (= work less)
- The train slowed down near the bridge, so we had time to take photos.
- Sales slowed down in the summer but picked up again in September.
- After years of long hours, my dad decided to slow down and work part-time.
What changed
First versionMy old laptop keeps braking, so I'm going to buy a new one.
RevisionMy old laptop keeps slowing down, so I'm going to buy a new one.
“Brake” may look like the right word for a slow computer. But “brake” only means to use the brakes, on a car or a bicycle. For a device that has started working slowly, say “slow down”, or simply It's so slow.
Both “slow down” and “calm down” ask a person to ease off, but for different reasons. “Calm down” is about feelings: anger, panic, nerves. “Slow down” is about speed and pace: Slow down, I can't keep up with you.
Your turn
You're speaking too fast for me to take notes. Could you ___ a little, please?
Show the answer
slow down — The problem is how fast the person is speaking: too fast to take notes, so “slow down” is right. You ask someone to “calm down” when they are angry or panicking, and this is not about feelings.
Describe a time when you had to slow down at work or in your studies. Say why you needed to and what you changed.
Last spring I had to slow down at work because I was sleeping badly, so I stopped answering emails after seven.
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