close a business or system
The company had to shut down its factory due to financial problems.
shut down — 3 meanings
Same words, different jobs. Compare the meanings side by side so you know which one fits the situation.
phrasal verb3 meanings
shut downsame phrase
Which one do you mean?
stop talking or reacting emotionally
Whenever the topic gets personal, he tends to shut down and avoid eye contact.
dismiss an argument
Whenever someone challenges his ideas, he tends to shut them down before they can finish explaining.
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Meanings in detail
1. close a business or system
B1neutralboth
To stop operating a business, machine, or system, either temporarily or permanently.
The company had to shut down its factory due to financial problems.
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B2informalspoken
To stop communicating or showing emotions, often because of stress or discomfort.
Whenever the topic gets personal, he tends to shut down and avoid eye contact.
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C1informalspoken
To reject, silence, or abruptly end someone’s point or contribution in a discussion, often without giving it fair consideration.
Whenever someone challenges his ideas, he tends to shut them down before they can finish explaining.
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