shut down

Meaning

To turn off a computer, mobile device, or system completely so that it stops operating. It can also refer to a business, factory, or machine stopping operations permanently or temporarily.

Examples

• Make sure you shut down your computer before leaving the office.

  Make sure you shut down your computer before leaving the office.

• The system will shut down automatically after ten minutes of inactivity.

  The system will shut down automatically after ten minutes of inactivity.

• I had to force my phone to shut down because the screen froze.

  I had to force my phone to shut down because the screen froze.

• The server is scheduled to shut down for maintenance tonight at midnight.

  The server is scheduled to shut down for maintenance tonight at midnight.

• Don't just close the laptop lid; actually shut it down.

  Don't just close the laptop lid; actually shut it down.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I closed down my computer.

  ✓ I shut down my computer.

  'Close down' is typically used for businesses or operations closing permanently, not for turning off electronic devices.

• ✗ Please shut down it.

  ✓ Please shut it down.

  When using a pronoun like 'it' with a separable phrasal verb, the pronoun must go between the verb and the particle.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Remember to ___ your laptop at the end of the day to save battery.

  💡 Turn off completely.

  Show answer

  shut down

• If the screen freezes, you might have to force it to ___.

  💡 Power off.

  Show answer

  shut down