turn down

say no to an offer, request, or chance

What does "turn sth down" mean?

To turn down something means to say no to it — to refuse an offer, request, or opportunity that someone has given you. It suggests a deliberate decision after thinking about it, so there is always something being offered or asked for. You can turn down a job offer, an invitation, a proposal, or even a person who has asked you on a date. The phrase works in both casual and professional situations, and it is slightly less formal than words like 'decline' or 'reject', but still perfectly acceptable in business emails or formal writing. A very common fixed expression is 'too good to turn down', used when an offer is so attractive that refusing it seems impossible.

Examples

He turned down the job offer because the salary was too low.
It was such a good deal that she couldn't turn it down.
He was turned down for the loan despite having a good credit history.

How to use it

turn down + noun object

The most common pattern — use it when the object is a noun phrase like an offer, request, or invitation.

She turned down the promotion because she didn't want to relocate.

turn + pronoun + down

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'turn' and 'down' — never after 'down'.

The scholarship committee offered him a place, but he turned it down.

turn + short noun + down

Short noun phrases can also go between 'turn' and 'down', which sounds natural and emphatic.

They offered her the job, but she turned the offer down.

be turned down (for + noun)

The passive is very natural when the focus is on the person or thing that was refused, often followed by 'for' to say what they were refused.

He was turned down for the loan even though his credit score was good.

too + adjective + to turn down

This fixed pattern is used to say an offer is so good that refusing it feels impossible.

The salary they offered was too good to turn down.

Common Collocations

job offerinvitationrequestopportunityproposalapplication

Common Mistakes

Pronoun after 'down'

When the object is a pronoun like 'it', 'him', or 'her', it must go between 'turn' and 'down'. Placing it after 'down' is always incorrect.

✗ She turned down it immediately.

✓ She turned it down immediately.

Separating with a very long noun phrase

With long or complex noun phrases, it sounds more natural to keep 'turn down' together. Only short noun phrases work well in the middle.

✗ He turned the incredibly generous offer his boss made him last week down.

✓ He turned down the incredibly generous offer his boss made him last week.

Confusing the two senses of 'turn down'

'Turn down' also means to reduce the level of something like music or heating. Make sure your object is an offer, request, or person — not a device or setting.

✗ Can you turn down the job? It's too loud. (mixing up senses)

✓ Can you turn down the music? / She turned down the job offer.

Usage

Neutral in register and works equally well in conversation, business emails, and formal writing — slightly less formal than 'decline' or 'reject' but still professional. The passive is very common when focusing on the person rejected: 'She was turned down for the job.'

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'turn down' be used about a person, not just an offer?

Yes, you can turn down a person when they have asked you something — especially when someone asks you on a date. 'She turned him down' most often means she refused his romantic interest. It can also be used in professional situations, such as when a company rejects a candidate.

What preposition do I use after 'turned down' in the passive?

Use 'for' to say what the person was refused. For example: 'He was turned down for the position' or 'She was turned down for a loan'. The preposition 'for' introduces the thing they applied or were considered for.

Does 'turn down' always mean the person thought about it first?

Generally yes — 'turn down' implies a considered decision to say no, rather than a quick or automatic refusal. This is part of what makes it slightly different from simply saying 'refuse'. It fits well in situations where someone had a real choice to make.

Is 'I can't turn that down' the same as accepting?

Yes, saying 'I can't turn that down' is a natural way to say you are going to accept something because it is too good to refuse. It is the opposite of actually turning something down — the phrase describes why you are saying yes.

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