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Glite Dictionary
⬇️ To decrease ❌ To lose 💻 To stop working 📚 To be remembered 🚢 To sink 🌅 To set (sun) 🍽️ To be swallowed
to go down

to go down

187 3.4
To stop working for a short time
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡoʊ daʊn/
translation icon : caerse
  • When the internet goes down, people often lose access to their online resources.

It's only when it goes down do they have a problem.

Examples

  • Adam Jr. admits that business went down significantly during the Blagojevich trial, including that from existing clients.

    Academic text (2011)

  • If an oven goes down, you're screwed.

  • It's only when it goes down do they have a problem.

    Big Think

  • It's only when it goes down do they have a problem.

    Big Think

  • We'll call you when it goes down.

    Unknown (2006)

  • This aircraft is going down, I'm telling you right now.

    United 93 (2006)

  • I'll go down and check the circuit breakers.

    Assassins (1995)

  • On the day that BFI announced those results, its stock went down, which illustrates another point.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The proposal itself may go down as the most foolhardy miscalculation in renewable energy history.

    Academic text (2004)

  • If the server goes down for maintenance, users will not be able to access the website.

Synonyms

to turn off
vsto go down
631 1.3

To stop a machine or device from working with a switch

can describe involuntary system failures rather than user action
to collapse
vsto go down
579 3.9

To fall down suddenly, for example when a person faints or a building breaks

usually refers to a temporary stoppage without total destruction or ruin
to shut down
vsto go down
541 2.9

Stop a machine, business, or system from working

can happen without deliberate action, often from failure or error
to die
vsto go down
498 4.6

To stop working, often suddenly

usually implies a temporary interruption rather than a permanent end
to fail
vsto go down
370 2.2

Stop working properly, as a machine or part

usually indicates a full stop of operation, often temporary
to break down
vsto go down
194 3.2

To stop working because of a problem

means a complete stop in operation, usually as a temporary outage
to crash
vsto go down
  • Specialized
156 3.2

To stop working suddenly, especially for a computer or program

refers to stopping operation, not necessarily as sudden or catastrophic
to shut off
vsto go down
83 2.6

Stop something from working by using a switch or valve

may occur spontaneously through malfunction rather than by using controls
to go off
vsto go down
  • UK
42 2.5

Stop working or lose power, for example lights

is used for systems and machines stopping generally, often temporarily
to go bad
vsto go down
  • US
33 3.5

Stop working and need repair

is broader and used for any stop, not only from gradual deterioration
to go dead
vsto go down
27 3.9

To stop working or become suddenly silent

can be temporary interruption rather than sudden total silence or finality
to come down
vsto go down
6 4.2

To stop working, used for a website or system

is used for any system stopping, not only internet services

Antonyms

to function
441 2.6

To work in a particular role or job

to start up
38 3.0

To make a machine or system begin to work

How Functional

to glitch
  • Specialized
3 5.8
to degrade
49 5.1
to go down
187 3.4
to crash
  • Specialized
156 3.2
collapse
350 4.1

Surface Forms

go down infinitive
going down present participle
goes down third person singular
went down past
gone down past participle

Morphology

go + down

The sense of food or drink being swallowed is directly derived from the motion verb 'go' combined with the directional particle 'down' — literally moving downward into the throat — so the meaning is compositional. This spatial verb+particle pattern is common in English and other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would very likely infer this usage.

Etymology

Go down for a system comes from the simple picture of power or service falling away, like the power goes and the lights go down. That's why it means 'to stop working'.