# damp down

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/damp-down
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to make a feeling or a situation less strong or intense. You use this when you want to stop something from growing or becoming too excited.

For teachers: to reduce the intensity or vigour of an emotion, reaction, or activity; to suppress or stifle something to prevent it from spreading.

## Examples

- The government tried to damp down the rumors about the new tax.
- The central bank raised interest rates to damp down inflation and slow the economy's growth.
- Despite the spokesperson's efforts to damp down public anger, the controversial policy change sparked widespread protests across the capital.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They damped the noise down." but "They damped down the noise." — while technically optional in separability, this phrasal verb is almost always kept together when used figuratively with abstract objects.

## Usage notes

- often used with abstract nouns like 'excitement', 'enthusiasm', 'fears', or 'protests'.
- Teaching tip: the literal origin refers to reducing the flow of air to a fire to make it burn more slowly; this image helps students understand the figurative sense of 'cooling' a situation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.