turn down a request

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   To say no to a request; to refuse to do what someone has asked.

   Grammar: Takes an object: turn down a request. You can also put the object between turn and down: turn a request down.

   Patterns

   • turn down a request
   • turn a request down
   • turn down someone's request

   The manager turned down my request for extra leave.

   She turned down his request to borrow the car.

   They turned the request down because the deadline was too tight.

2. 2phraseidiom

   To say no to an offer, application, or proposal; to reject it.

   Grammar: Often used with business or formal offers: turn down an offer, turn down a job.

   Patterns

   • turn down an offer
   • turn down an application
   • turn down a proposal

   He turned down the job offer because the pay was low.

   The bank turned down their loan application.

   She turned down the invitation to speak at the conference.

Common combinations

politely turn down

She politely turned down his request for a meeting.

turn down flat

They turned down his request flat, without any discussion.

turn down an offer

He turned down the offer of a free ticket.

turn down a request for something

The committee turned down her request for funding.

Synonyms and how they differ

refuse

Refuse is more direct and can sound stronger; turn down a request is often softer and more polite.

reject

Reject is more formal and often used for applications or proposals; turn down is more conversational.

decline

Decline is polite and formal; it often suggests a gentle refusal, like turn down but more elegant.

Opposites

Word family

turn down phrasal verb

The base phrasal verb meaning to refuse or reduce.

Commonly confused: turn down a request or turn up?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “turn down a request”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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