take down — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings

1 remove from a high placeTo remove something that is hanging or placed above you, such as a picture, shelf, or decoration.
2 write down informationTo write information, notes, or details, especially when someone is speaking or giving instructions.

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remove from a high place

B1take sth downspokenMost common

To remove something that is hanging or placed above you, such as a picture, shelf, or decoration.

Could you take down the clock from the wall for me?

A: The party's over. Should we take down the decorations now?
B: Yeah, let's get started before it gets too late.

During the renovation, we had to take down all the shelves in the living room to paint the walls properly.

Common mistake

✗Can you take down it?

✓Can you take it down?

With a pronoun the object goes in the middle — 'take it down', never 'take down it'.

Tell it apart

Take the posters down.

remove from the wall

Put the posters up.

attach to the wall

Use 'take down' when you remove something from a wall, shelf, or another high place.'Put down' means to place something somewhere, while 'take down' means to remove it from a higher position.

Often paired with

take down + thing on the wall

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write down information

B1take sth downspoken

To write information, notes, or details, especially when someone is speaking or giving instructions.

Let me take down your phone number so I don't forget it.

A: Did you take down everything the teacher said?
B: Yes, I wrote all the important points in my notebook.

In meetings, it's important to take down key ideas so you can remember them later.

Common mistake

✗Give me a second to take down them.

✓Give me a second to take them down.

With a pronoun object, put it in the middle — 'take them down', not 'take down them'.

Tell it apart

She took my number down.

wrote it down

She took the sign down.

removed it from the wall

Use 'take down' when you quickly write information that you hear or see.'Take down' is often used for notes or information, while 'write down' can be used more generally.

Often paired with

take down + info

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remove from a high place write down information