shut down

stop working, or make something stop working (a machine, computer, or business)

B1

What does "shut (sth) down" mean?

To shut down means to stop a machine, system, business, or service from operating — either by doing it yourself or as something that happens automatically. You might shut down your laptop at the end of the day, or a factory might be shut down by the government for safety reasons. It suggests a complete, orderly process of stopping, not a sudden or unexpected failure. The verb works in both directions: you can shut something down (someone does it on purpose), or something can simply shut down on its own (for example, a computer that turns itself off after an update). It is used in many situations, from everyday technology to business news.

Examples

How to use it

shut down + machine/system/business

The most common pattern — use it when someone stops a device, system, or organisation from operating.

The IT team decided to shut down the server for maintenance.

shut + pronoun + down

When you use a pronoun (it, them, etc.) instead of a noun, it must go between 'shut' and 'down' — you cannot put it at the end.

The app was using too much memory, so I shut it down.

shut + noun + down

With short noun objects, you can put the noun between 'shut' and 'down' — both word orders are equally natural.

We need to shut the whole system down before we update it.

subject + shut down (no object)

Used without an object when the machine or system stops operating on its own or as a result of something — the subject does the stopping itself.

My laptop shut down automatically when the battery ran out.

be shut down

The passive form is very common, especially in news or business contexts when reporting that something has been closed or stopped.

The website was shut down after it broke data protection rules.

Common Collocations

computerserverfactorysystemoperationswebsite

Common Mistakes

Wrong past tense

'Shut' is an irregular verb — the past tense is also 'shut', not 'shutted'. This is one of the most common errors with this phrasal verb.

✗ I shutted down my computer before I left.
✓ I shut down my computer before I left.
Pronoun placed in the wrong position

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'shut' and 'down'. Placing it after 'down' is not correct in English.

✗ The system is overheating — shut down it now.
✓ The system is overheating — shut it down now.
Confusing 'shut down' with 'turn off'

'Turn off' is fine for simple devices like a light or a television, but for computers and complex systems, 'shut down' is the natural choice because it suggests a proper process of stopping, not just flipping a switch.

✗ I turned off my computer properly before the storm.
✓ I shut down my computer properly before the storm.

Usage

Used across all registers, from everyday tech talk ('shut down your laptop') to business and news ('the plant was shut down'). It implies an orderly stopping process, not a sudden failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'shut down' be used for a person as the object?

Yes, but it changes the meaning completely. If the object is a person, 'shut down' is informal slang meaning to silence or reject someone — for example, 'She shut him down when he asked for a raise.' This page only covers the meaning of stopping a machine, system, or business from operating.

Is there a noun form of 'shut down'?

Yes — 'shutdown' (written as one word) is a common noun, especially in technology and business. For example: 'The engineers performed a controlled shutdown of the reactor.' You might also see it used in phrases like 'a government shutdown' or 'a scheduled shutdown.'

Does 'shut down' always mean something stops permanently?

No, not at all. 'Shut down' can be temporary or permanent. A computer shuts down every night and starts again in the morning. A factory might be shut down for repairs and then reopen. If you want to make clear something is permanent, you can add a word like 'permanently': 'The plant was permanently shut down.'

What is the difference between 'shut down' and 'close down'?

'Close down' is mainly used for businesses or shops that stop operating for good. 'Shut down' is more flexible — it works for machines, systems, websites, and businesses, and it can be either temporary or permanent. In most situations, 'shut down' is the safer, more widely understood choice.

Related Phrasal Verbs

close (sth) down

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