Phrasal verb
dress down
Definition
phrasal verb. to wear casual clothes to a place where people usually wear formal ones, like an office. You might do this on a 'casual Friday'.
phrasal verb. to wear informal clothing in a context that typically requires formal attire. The verb is intransitive in this sense and often appears in professional or corporate contexts.
Examples
“We usually dress down on Fridays at my office.”
“The tech company has a very relaxed culture, so employees are encouraged to dress down every day of the week.”
“While the legal profession remains conservative, many modern firms have begun to allow staff to dress down when they are not meeting with clients.”
Examples
simple
“We usually dress down on Fridays at my office.”
contextual
“The tech company has a very relaxed culture, so employees are encouraged to dress down every day of the week.”
complex
“While the legal profession remains conservative, many modern firms have begun to allow staff to dress down when they are not meeting with clients.”
Usage
This verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Teaching tip
Use 'Casual Friday' as a cultural anchor to explain why someone would choose to dress down in a professional setting.
Pitfall
He dressed down himself for the casual meeting.
He dressed down for the casual meeting.
The verb is intransitive and does not require a reflexive pronoun.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
dress + down
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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