Meaning trap

bring down

cause someone in power to lose their position

to force someone, especially a leader or government, to lose their position or power.

phrasal verbB2occasional

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

cause someone in power to lose their position

to force someone, especially a leader or government, to lose their position or power.

bring down (reduce the level or amount of something)

Another meaning of 'bring down' is 'reduce the level or amount of something'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

The scandal was enough to bring down the entire company leadership.work
In some countries, public pressure can bring down a government if people are unhappy with its decisions.IELTS speaking

Pattern: bring down + noun (person/group in power)

WrongThe protests brought the president down from power.

RightThe protests brought down the president. / The protests brought the president down.

'Bring down' already means remove from power — don't add 'from power'.

Patternbring down + noun (person/group in power)

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The scandal caused the government to lose its hold on power.

Natural The scandal brought down the government.

'Bring down' is the natural verb for toppling a leader or regime; the paraphrase is wordy.

Words that usually travel with it.

bring down + leader/government
the governmentthe regimethe presidentthe company

'Bring down' is about removing power, not just criticizing someone.

bring down (reduce the level or amount of something) — Another meaning of 'bring down' is 'reduce the level or amount of something'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.