phrasal verb🧩 phrasal verb

slow down

to reduce speed

What it means

To reduce your speed or to do something at a less hurried pace. It often suggests taking time to enjoy life or avoid mistakes from rushing.

Examples

  • Slow down — you're driving way too fast for these winding country roads.
  • The economy has slowed down significantly over the past six months.
  • After his heart attack, the doctor told him to slow down and rest.
  • Can you slow down a little? I can't keep up with what you're saying.

Where it comes from

Separable phrasal verb. The 'take it easy in life' sense became culturally significant with the Slow Movement (Slow Food, Slow Living) in the 1980s.

Related phrasal verbs

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