# pipe down

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pipe-down
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to stop talking or making noise when you are being too loud. You use this when you want someone to be quiet.

For teachers: to cease talking or making noise; the verb is intransitive and functions as an informal imperative to command silence.

## Examples

- Please pipe down so I can hear the news.
- The teacher told the students to pipe down because the principal was walking past the classroom.
- As the speaker approached the podium, the rowdy crowd finally began to pipe down, allowing the opening remarks to be heard.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He piped down his voice." but "He piped down." — 'pipe down' is intransitive and does not take a direct object.

## Usage notes

- usually used as a command or to describe someone becoming quiet after being loud.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'shut up' (rude) and 'be quiet' (neutral); 'pipe down' is informal and firm but slightly less aggressive than 'shut up'.

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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.