turn down = reject (GiU Additional Exercises, phrasal units)
turn down = reject
Section titled “turn down = reject”No to an offer / request / invitation / applicant:
- She turned down the job offer.
- He asked me to marry him — I turned him down. (person as object)
- They turned down my application.
- I think you should turn it down. (advice to reject an offer)
Test frame: I’m not sure whether to accept the offer → verdict = turn it down.
Pronoun position
Section titled “Pronoun position”Object splits the particle: turn it down / turn him down (✗ turn down it). Long noun can go either side: turn down the offer = turn the offer down.
Don’t mix the turn-family
Section titled “Don’t mix the turn-family”| turn + | meaning |
|---|---|
| turn down | reject; also reduce volume/heat |
| turn up | arrive/appear (you never turn up on time); also raise volume |
| turn off | switch off; repel |
| turn on | switch on |
| turn out | result/outcome (see [turn-out-phrasals]) |
| turn into | become |
| turn over | flip; hand over (to police) |
| turn to | go to for help (she turned to her family) |
Synonym ladder
Section titled “Synonym ladder”| word | register/use |
|---|---|
| turn down | neutral, offers/requests/people |
| decline | formal, polite |
| refuse | blunt, direct |
| reject | formal; also ideas/goods |
Source
Section titled “Source”English Grammar in Use, Additional Exercises — Phrasal verbs (Units 137–145). Ebot lesson 2026-09-05.