shut down

Definitions

1. 1

   To close, terminate, or end.

   • They are planning to shut down the entire building at the end of the month.
   • The time is now, the place the grim industrial city of Shaoyang, China, which has just been informed that its No. 2 Space Rocket Factory is going to shut down.
   • Alex quickly shut down her argument. 'But I'm the male. They lead in dancing, why shouldn't I be the lead here too? And besides, I was picked, you applied, which basically means I'm the lead anyway. […]
2. 2

   To turn off or stop.

   • It's a good idea to shut down the machine before you leave.
   • My computer is shutting down as we speak.
   • Safety devices ensure that the engines are automatically shut down in the event of overspeed, low pressure in the lubricating oil system, low cooling-water pressure, or high cooling-water temperature.
3. 3

   To emotionally withdraw into oneself as a defense mechanism

   To emotionally withdraw into oneself as a defense mechanism; to block out external stressors.

   • I can't talk to him about the accident; he just shuts down anytime I try.
4. ›+ 2 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To suppress, block out, or reject (an idea or an aspect of one's personality or identity).

      • She made a proposal to reorganize the department, but management shut her down.
      • And I learned a lot, and, um, some of it seemed a little bit too interesting? It felt a bit like I uncovered a part of myself that I've been purposefully just shutting down for as long as I can remember and never questioned why.
   2. 5

      To pass (another vehicle), especially quickly.

      • I opened that throttle and shut him down.
      • Tach it up, tach it up / Buddy gonna shut you down

The neighborhood

• synonymclose down
• synonympower down
• synonympower off
• synonymshut off
• synonymturn off
• synonymwind down