Up vs. Down — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 8, 2024
"Up" denotes elevation or movement toward a higher position, while "Down" refers to a lower position or descent.
Difference Between Up and Down
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "up" is often associated with an increase, improvement, or movement toward a higher point. It can signify progress, optimism, or an elevated status. "Down," conversely, typically indicates a decrease, decline, or movement toward a lower area. It can suggest reduction, pessimism, or a diminished state.
"Up" implies a direction away from the Earth's surface, often used to describe something moving to a higher physical position or level. "Down" suggests movement towards the Earth's surface or a lower level.
While "up" can have positive connotations, such as in "upbeat" or "upgrade," indicating improvement or elevation, "down" can carry negative implications, as seen in "downfall" or "downgrade," denoting decline or reduction.
"Up" is used in various contexts to denote positivity or increase, as in "uplifting" or "turn up the volume," whereas "down" is used to express negativity or decrease, like in "feeling down" or "turn down the volume."
Physically, "up" and "down" describe spatial orientation. Symbolically, they can represent emotional states, trends in performance, or levels of intensity, with "up" generally symbolizing more or better, and "down" less or worse.
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Comparison Chart
Direction
Towards a higher position
Towards a lower position
Connotations
Positive, increase, improvement
Negative, decrease, decline
Physical Use
Elevation, ascending
Descent, descending
Symbolic Use
Growth, optimism
Reduction, pessimism
Common Phrases
"Cheer up," "Look up"
"Calm down," "Look down"
Compare with Definitions
Up
At or to a higher level of intensity, volume, or activity.
Can you turn the music up?
Down
Toward or in a lower place, position, or level.
The ball rolled down the hill.
Up
In a happier or more upbeat mood.
After hearing the good news, she felt her spirits lift up.
Down
Feeling depressed or unhappy.
He's been feeling down since he lost his job.
Up
Toward a higher place or position.
He climbed up the ladder to reach the roof.
Down
At a lower or reduced level of intensity, volume, or activity.
Please turn the volume down; it's too loud.
Up
Increasing in value or amount.
Stock prices are going up this quarter.
Down
Decreasing in value or amount.
Temperatures are expected to go down by the weekend.
Up
Toward the source or origin of something.
We walked up the river to find its source.
Down
Toward the end or conclusion of something.
As the sun went down, the party started winding down too.
Up
In or to a higher position
Looking up.
Down
From a higher to a lower place or position
Hiked down from the peak.
Up
In a direction opposite to the center of the earth or a comparable gravitational center
Up from the lunar surface.
Down
Toward, to, or on the ground, floor, or bottom
Tripped and fell down.
Up
In or to an upright position
Sat up in bed.
Down
Downstairs
Let's go down and get some breakfast.
Up
Above a surface
Coming up for air.
Down
In or into a sitting, kneeling, or reclining position
Knelt down.
Lying down.
Up
So as to detach or unearth
Pulling up weeds.
Down
In or into one's stomach
Had trouble keeping his food down.
Washed down the pizza with soda.
Up
Above the horizon
As the sun came up.
Down
In writing or a record
The reporter wrote the statement down. He's down as the best goal-scorer of his time.
Up
Into view or existence
Draw up a will.
Down
In partial payment at the time of purchase
Put $250 down on the new refrigerator.
Up
Into consideration
Take up a new topic.
Down
Into or toward a secure position
Nailed down the boards.
Bolted the furniture down.
Up
In or toward a position conventionally regarded as higher, as on a scale, chart, or map
Temperatures heading up.
Up in Canada.
Down
Toward or in the south; southward
Flew down to Florida.
Up
To or at a higher price
Stocks that are going up.
Down
Away from a place considered central or a center of activity, such as a city or town
Down on the farm.
Sent down to work at the firm's regional office.
Up
So as to advance, increase, or improve
Our spirits went up.
Down
To a specific location or source
Tracking a rumor down.
Up
With or to a greater intensity, pitch, or volume
Turn the sound up.
Down
Toward or at a low or lower point on a scale
From the biggest down to the smallest.
Up
Into a state of excitement or turbulence
Stir up.
Rouse up.
Down
From earlier times or people
Tradition handed down from one generation to the next.
Up
Completely; entirely
Drank it up in a gulp.
Fastened up the coat.
Down
To or at a lower intensity or amount
Turned the volume down.
Prices going down.
Up
Used as an intensifier of the action of a verb
Typed up a list.
Down
To or in a reduced or concentrated form
Pared the term paper down to five pages.
Up
So as to approach; near
Came up and kissed me.
Down
To or in a quiescent or subdued state
Calmed down.
Up
To a stop
Pulled up in front of the station.
Down
In or into an inactive or inoperative state
The generators went down at midnight.
Up
Each; apiece
The score was tied at 11 up.
Down
To or into a lower or inferior condition, as of subjection, defeat, or disgrace
People kept down for decades.
Up
Apart; into pieces
Tore it up.
Down
To an extreme degree; heavily
Worn down by worry.
Up
(Nautical) To windward.
Down
Seriously or vigorously
Get down to the project at hand.
Up
Being above a former position or level; higher
My grades are up. The pressure is up.
Down
Moving or directed downward
A down elevator.
Up
Out of bed
Was up by seven.
Down
Low or lower
Stock prices were down today.
Up
Standing; erect.
Down
Reduced; diminished
The wind is down.
Up
Facing upward
Two cards up, one down.
The up side of a tossed coin.
Down
Sports & Games Trailing an opponent
A team down 20 points in the last quarter.
Down two pawns in chess.
Up
Raised; lifted
A switch in the up position.
Down
Afflicted; sick
She's down with a bad cold.
Up
Moving or directed upward
An up elevator.
Down
Malfunctioning or not operating, especially temporarily
The computer is down.
Up
Marked by increased excitement or agitation; aroused
Our fighting spirit was up.
Down
Low in spirits; depressed
Feeling down today.
Up
(Informal) Cheerful; optimistic; upbeat.
Down
Not in play and at the place where offensive forward progress has stopped
The ball is down on the 50-yard line.
Up
(Slang) Happily excited; euphoric
After receiving the award, the performer was really up.
Down
Not permitted to advance further in the play because forward progress has stopped, especially by being tackled. Used of a ball carrier.
Up
(Informal) Taking place; going on
Wondered what was up back home.
Down
(Baseball) Retired; out
Two down in the last of the ninth.
Up
Being considered; under study
A contract that is up for renewal.
Down
Completed; done
Three exams down, two to go.
Up
Running as a candidate.
Down
Learned or known perfectly
Had the algebra problems down.
Up
On trial; charged
The defendant is up for manslaughter.
Down
In a descending direction along, upon, into, or through
Rolled down the hill.
Floating down the river.
Flowed down the pipe.
Up
Having been finished; over
Your time is up.
Down
In a sequential or temporal sequence
Knowledge passed down the ages.
Up
Prepared; ready
Had to be up for the game.
Down
Along the course of
Walking down the street.
Up
Well informed; abreast
Not up on sports.
Down
In or at
The cans are stored down cellar.
Up
Functioning or capable of functioning normally; operational
Their computers are now up.
Down
A downward movement; descent
The downs of the rollercoaster ride.
Up
(Sports) Being ahead or at a numerical advantage over one's opponent
Up two strokes in golf.
Up one man during the power play.
Down
A feeling of sadness or depression
His frequent downs made him hard to live with.
Up
(Baseball) At bat.
Down
A misfortune or difficulty
Went through a lot of ups and downs before succeeding.
Up
As a bet; at stake.
Down
(Football) Any of a series of four plays in American football or three plays in Canadian football during which a team must advance at least ten yards to retain possession of the ball.
Up
(Nautical) Bound; headed
A freighter up for Panama.
Down
(Botany) A covering of soft, short hairs, as on some leaves or fruit.
Up
From a lower to or toward a higher point on
Up the hill.
Down
A soft, silky, or feathery substance, such as the first growth of a human beard.
Up
Toward or at a point farther along
Two miles up the road.
Down
Often downs An expanse of rolling upland, often treeless, grassy, and used for grazing.
Up
In a direction toward the source of
Up the Mississippi.
Down
Often Down Any of several breeds of sheep having short wool, originally bred in the Downs of southern England.
Up
(Nautical) Against
Up the wind.
Down
To bring, put, strike, or throw down
Downed his opponent in the first round.
Up
An upward slope; a rise.
Down
To swallow hastily; gulp
Downed the glass of water.
Up
An upward movement or trend.
Down
(Football) To put (the ball) out of play by touching it to the ground or stepping out of bounds.
Up
(Slang) A feeling of excitement or euphoria.
Down
To go or come down; descend.
Up
To increase
Upped their fees.
Upping our output.
Down
(comparable) From a higher position to a lower one; downwards.
The cat jumped down from the table.
Up
To raise to a higher level, especially to promote to a higher position.
Down
(comparable) At a lower or further place or position along a set path.
His place is farther down the road.
The company was well down the path to bankruptcy.
Up
(Nautical) To raise
Up anchor.
Up sail.
Down
As a down payment.
You can have it, no money down.
Up
To get up; rise.
Down
On paper (or in a durable record).
You need to write down what happened while it's still fresh in your mind.
Up
Away from the surface of the Earth or other planet; in opposite direction to the downward pull of gravity.
I looked up and saw the airplane overhead.
Down
To the south (as south is at the bottom of typical maps).
I went down to Miami for a conference.
Up
To or at a physically higher or more elevated position.
All day we climbed up and up.
Down
Away from the city (regardless of direction).
He went down to Cavan.
Down on the farm
Down country
Up
To a higher level of some quantity or notional quantity, such as price, volume, pitch, happiness, etc.
Gold has gone up with the uncertainty in the world markets.
Turn it up, I can barely hear it.
Listen to your voice go up at the end of a question.
Cheer up, the weekend's almost here.
Down
At or towards any place that is visualised as 'down' by virtue of local features or local convention, or arbitrarily, irrespective of direction or elevation change.
She lives down by the park.
Up
To or in a position of equal advance or equality; not short of, back of, less advanced than, away from, etc.; usually followed by to or with.
I was up to my chin in water.
A stranger came up and asked me for directions.
Down
(sport) Towards the opponent's side (in ball-sports).
Up
(intensifier) Used as an aspect marker to indicate a completed action or state; thoroughly, completely.
I will mix up the puzzle pieces.
Tear up the contract.
He really messed up.
Please type up our monthly report.
Drink up. The pub is closing.
Can you sum up your research?
The meteor burned up in the atmosphere.
I need to sew up the hole in this shirt.
Down
Into a state of non-operation.
The computer has been shut down.
They closed the shop down.
Up
To or from one's possession or consideration.
I picked up some milk on the way home.
The committee will take up your request.
She had to give up her driver's license after the accident.
Down
To a subordinate or less prestigious position or rank.
Smith was sent down to the minors to work on his batting.
After the incident, Kelly went down to Second Lieutenant.
Up
North.
I live in Florida, but I'm going up to New York to visit my family this weekend.
Down
(rail transport) In the direction leading away from the principal terminus, away from milepost zero.
Up
Towards or at a central place, or any place that is visualised as 'up' by virtue of local features or local convention, or arbitrarily, irrespective of direction or elevation change.
We travelled from Yorkshire up to London.
I'm going up to the other end of town.
He lives up by the railway station.
Down
Get down.
Down, boy!
Up
(rail transport) Towards the principal terminus, towards milepost zero.
Down
Away from Oxford or Cambridge.
He's gone back down to Newcastle for Christmas.
Up
Aside or away, so as no longer to be present or in use.
To lay up riches; put up your weapons
Down
From a remoter or higher antiquity.
These traditions have been handed down over generations.
Up
(sailing) Against the wind or current.
Down
So as to lessen quantity, level or intensity.
You need to tone down the rhetoric.
Please turn the music down!
Up
(Cartesian graph) In a positive vertical direction.
Down
So as to reduce size, weight or volume.
Trim the stick down to a length of about twelve inches.
Thanks to my strict diet, I've slimmed down to eleven stone.
Boil the mixture down to a syrupy consistency.
Up
(cricket) Relatively close to the batsman.
The bowler pitched the ball up.
Down
From less to greater detail.
This spreadsheet lets you drill down to daily or even hourly sales figures.
Up
Without additional ice.
A Cosmopolitan is typically served up.
Down
So as to secure or compress something to the floor, ground, or other (usually horizontal) surface.
We need to nail down this carpet so people don't keep tripping over it.
Up
To university, especially to Cambridge or Oxford.
She's going up to read Classics this September.
Down
Used with verbs to indicate that the action of the verb was carried to some state of completion, permanence, or success rather than being of indefinite duration.
He closed operations. / He closed down operations.
He chased answers. / He chased down answers.
Up
Toward the top of.
The cat climbed up the tree.
They walk up the steps.
Down
Forward, straight ahead.
At the first intersection turn left and walk down, then turn right.
Up
Toward the center, source, or main point of reference; toward the end at which something is attached.
The information made its way up the chain of command to the general.
I felt something crawling up my arm.
Down
From the higher end to the lower of.
The ball rolled down the hill.
Up
From south to north of.
We sailed up the East Coast of England from Ipswich to South Shields.
Down
From north to south of.
We sailed down the eastern seaboard.
Up
Further along (in any direction).
Go up the street until you see the sign.
Down
From one end to another of (in any direction); along.
The bus went down the street.
They walked down the beach holding hands.
Up
From the mouth towards the source of (a river or waterway).
He led an expedition up the Amazon.
Down
(colloquial) At (a given place that is seen as removed from one's present location or other point of reference).
I'll see you later down the pub.
Up
(colloquial) At (a given place, especially one imagined to be higher or more distant from a central location).
I'll see you later up the snooker club.
Down
Facing downwards.
Turn the cloth over so that the patterned side is down.
Up
Facing upwards.
Turn the cloth over so that the patterned side is up.
Down
At a lower level than before.
The stock market is down.
Prices are down.
Up
On or at a physically higher level.
The flood waters are up again across large areas of the country.
Down
(informal) Sad, unhappy, depressed, feeling low.
Mary seems very down since she split up with her boyfriend.
Up
Headed or designated to go upward (as an escalator, stairway, elevator etc.) or toward (as a run-up).
Where is the up escalator?
Down
Sick, wounded, or damaged:
Up
Fitted or fixed at a high or relatively high position, especially on a wall or ceiling.
All the notices are up now.
The Christmas decorations are up.
Down
(normally in the combination 'down with') Sick or ill.
He is down with the flu.
Up
(by extension) Available to view or use; made public; posted.
Is your new video up yet? I looked on the website, but I couldn't find it.
Down
Mechanically failed, collided, shot down, or otherwise suddenly unable to fly.
We have a chopper down near the river.
Up
Aloft.
The kite is up!
Down
(not comparable) Inoperable; out of order; out of service.
The system is down.
Up
Raised; lifted.
The castle drawbridge was up.
Don't go into the living room just now – I've got the carpet up.
Down
Having a lower score than an opponent.
They are down by 3–0 with just 5 minutes to play.
He was down by a bishop and a pawn after 15 moves.
At 5–1 down, she produced a great comeback to win the set on a tiebreak.
Up
Built, constructed.
Are the new buildings up yet?
Down
Out.
Two down and one to go in the bottom of the ninth.
Up
Standing; upright.
The audience were up and on their feet.
Down
Negative about; hostile to.
Ever since Carter, I've been down on Democrats.
Up
(obsolete) Risen up, rebelling, in revolt.
Down
Comfortable with, accepting of.
He's chill enough; he'd probably be totally down with it.
Are you down to hang out at the mall, Jamal?
As long as you're down with helping me pick a phone, Tyrone.
Up
Awake and out of bed.
I can’t believe it’s 3 a.m. and you’re still up.
Down
Accepted, respected, or loyally participating in the (thug) community.
What you mean, 'No'? Man, I thought you was down.
Up
(horse-racing) Riding the horse; mounted.
Down
Finished (of a task); defeated or dealt with (of an opponent or obstacle); elapsed (of time). Often coupled with to go (remaining).
Two down and three to go.
Ten minutes down and nothing's happened yet.
Up
(of the sun or moon) Above the horizon, in the sky.
It'll get warmer once the sun's up.
Down
Thoroughly practiced, learned or memorised; mastered. Compare down pat.
It's two weeks until opening night and our lines are still not down yet.
Up
Larger; greater in quantity, volume, value etc.
Sales are up compared to last quarter.
My temperature is up this morning.
Down
(obsolete) Downright; absolute; positive.
Up
Indicating a larger or higher quantity.
The barometer is up, so fine weather should be on the way.
Down
(of a tree, limb, etc) Fallen or felled.
Up
Ahead; leading; winning.
The home team were up by two goals at half-time.
Down
(transitive) To knock (someone or something) down; to cause to come down; to fell.
The storm downed several old trees along the highway.
A single rifle shot downed the mighty beast.
Up
Finished, to an end
Time is up!
Her contract is up next month, so it's time to negotiate another one.
Down
(transitive) Specifically, to cause (something in the air) to fall to the ground; to bring down (with a missile etc.).
The helicopter was downed by a surface-to-air missile.
Up
In a good mood.
I’m feeling up today.
Down
(transitive) To lower; to put (something) down.
The bell rang for lunch, and the workers downed their tools.
Up
(usually in the phrase up for) Willing; ready.
If you are up for a trip, let’s go.
Down
To defeat; to overpower.
Up
Next in a sequence.
Smith is up to bat.
Down
To disparage; to put down.
Up
(not used attributively) Happening; new; of concern. See also what's up, what's up with.
What's up, bro?
What is up with that project at headquarters?
When I saw his face, I knew something was up.
Down
To go or come down; to descend.
Up
Said of the higher-ranking pair in a two pair.
AAKK = aces up
QQ33 = queens up
Down
To drink or swallow, especially without stopping before the vessel containing the liquid is empty.
He downed an ale and ordered another.
Up
Well-informed; current.
I’m not up on the latest news. What’s going on?
Down
To render (the ball) dead, typically by touching the ground while in possession.
He downed it at the seven-yard line.
Up
(computing) Functional; working.
Is the server back up?
Down
To sink (a ball) into a hole or pocket.
He downed two balls on the break.
Up
(of a railway line or train) Traveling towards a major terminus.
The London train is on the up line.
Down
(transitive) To cover, ornament, line, or stuff with down.
Up
Chilled and served without ice.
Would you like that drink up or on ice?
Down
A negative aspect; a downer, a downside.
I love almost everything about my job. The only down is that I can't take Saturdays off.
Up
(slang) Erect. en
Down
(dated) A grudge (on someone).
Up
Well-known; renowned
Down
An act of swallowing an entire drink at once.
Up
(uncountable) The direction opposed to the pull of gravity.
Up is a good way to go.
Down
(American football) A single play, from the time the ball is snapped (the start) to the time the whistle is blown (the end) when the ball is down, or is downed.
I bet after the third down, the kicker will replace the quarterback on the field.
Up
(countable) A positive thing, or a time or situation when things are going well.
I hate almost everything about my job. The only up is that it's so close to home.
There are many ups to caravanning, but also many downs.
I've been on an up all this week.
Down
(crosswords) A clue whose solution runs vertically in the grid.
I haven't solved 12 or 13 across, but I've got most of the downs.
Up
(particle physics) An up quark.
Down
A downstairs room of a two-story house.
She lives in a two-up two-down.
Up
An upstairs room of a two story house.
She lives in a two-up two-down.
Down
Down payment.
Up
To physically raise or lift.
We upped anchor and sailed away.
Down
The lightest quark with a charge number of −3.
Up
To increase the level or amount of.
If we up the volume, we may be able to hear what he says.
As usual, they've upped the prices for Valentine's Day.
Down
(especially southern England) A hill, especially a chalk hill; rolling grassland
We went for a walk over the downs.
The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east England.
Up
To promote.
It wasn’t long before they upped him to Vice President.
Down
A field, especially one used for horse racing.
Up
To rise to a standing position; hence, by extension, to act suddenly; see also up and.
She was sitting there quietly, then all of a sudden she upped and left.
He just upped and quit.
He upped and punched that guy.
Down
A tract of poor, sandy, undulating or hilly land near the sea, covered with fine turf which serves chiefly for the grazing of sheep.
Up
To ascend; to climb up.
Down
Soft, fluffy immature feathers which grow on young birds. Used as insulating material in duvets, sleeping bags and jackets.
Up
To upload.
100 new apps and games have just been upped.
Down
(botany) The pubescence of plants; the hairy crown or envelope of the seeds of certain plants, such as the thistle.
Up
Aloft; on high; in a direction contrary to that of gravity; toward or in a higher place or position; above; - the opposite of down.
But up or down,By center or eccentric, hard to tell.
Down
The soft hair of the face when beginning to appear.
Up
From a lower to a higher position, literally or figuratively; as, from a recumbent or sitting position; from the mouth, toward the source, of a river; from a dependent or inferior condition; from concealment; from younger age; from a quiet state, or the like; - used with verbs of motion expressed or implied.
But they presumed to go up unto the hilltop.
I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up.
Up rose the sun, and up rose Emelye.
We have wrought ourselves up into this degree of Christian indifference.
Down
That which is made of down, as a bed or pillow; that which affords ease and repose, like a bed of down.
Up
In a higher place or position, literally or figuratively; in the state of having arisen; in an upright, or nearly upright, position; standing; mounted on a horse; in a condition of elevation, prominence, advance, proficiency, excitement, insurrection, or the like; - used with verbs of rest, situation, condition, and the like; as, to be up on a hill; the lid of the box was up; prices are up.
And when the sun was up, they were scorched.
Those that were up themselves kept others low.
Helen was up - was she?
Rebels there are up,And put the Englishmen unto the sword.
His name was up through all the adjoining provinces, even to Italy and Rome; many desiring to see who he was that could withstand so many years the Roman puissance.
Thou hast fired me; my soul's up in arms.
Grief and passion are like floods raised in little brooks by a sudden rain; they are quickly up.
A general whisper ran among the country people, that Sir Roger was up.
Let us, then, be up and doing,With a heart for any fate.
Down
Fine, soft, hairy outgrowth from the skin or surface of animals or plants, not matted and fleecy like wool
And the first down begins to shade his face.
Up
To or in a position of equal advance or equality; not short of, back of, less advanced than, away from, or the like; - usually followed by to or with; as, to be up to the chin in water; to come up with one's companions; to come up with the enemy; to live up to engagements.
As a boar was whetting his teeth, up comes a fox to him.
Down
That which is made of down, as a bed or pillow; that which affords ease and repose, like a bed of down
When in the down I sink my head,Sleep, Death's twin brother, times my breath.
Thou bosom softness, down of all my cares!
Up
To or in a state of completion; completely; wholly; quite; as, in the phrases to eat up; to drink up; to burn up; to sum up; etc.; to shut up the eyes or the mouth; to sew up a rent.
Down
A tract of poor, sandy, undulating or hilly land near the sea, covered with fine turf which serves chiefly for the grazing of sheep; - usually in the plural.
Seven thousand broad-tailed sheep grazed on his downs.
Up
Aside, so as not to be in use; as, to lay up riches; put up your weapons.
Up, up, my friend! and quit your books,Or surely you 'll grow double.
Down
A road for shipping in the English Channel or Straits of Dover, near Deal, employed as a naval rendezvous in time of war.
On the 11th [June, 1771] we run up the channel . . . at noon we were abreast of Dover, and about three came to an anchor in the Downs, and went ashore at Deal.
Up
From a lower to a higher place on, upon, or along; at a higher situation upon; at the top of.
In going up a hill, the knees will be most weary; in going down, the thihgs.
Down
A state of depression; low state; abasement.
It the downs of life too much outnumber the ups.
Up
From the coast towards the interior of, as a country; from the mouth towards the source of, as a stream; as, to journey up the country; to sail up the Hudson.
Down
To cover, ornament, line, or stuff with down.
Up
Upon.
Down
To cause to go down; to make descend; to put down; to overthrow, as in wrestling; hence, to subdue; to bring down.
I remember how you downed Beauclerk and Hamilton, the wits, once at our house.
Up
The state of being up or above; a state of elevation, prosperity, or the like; - rarely occurring except in the phrase ups and downs.
They had their ups and downs of fortune.
Down
To go down; to descend.
Up
Inclining up; tending or going up; upward; as, an up look; an up grade; the up train.
Down
In the direction of gravity or toward the center of the earth; toward or in a lower place or position; below; - the opposite of up.
Up
Raise;
Up the ante
Down
From a higher to a lower position, literally or figuratively; in a descending direction; from the top of an ascent; from an upright position; to the ground or floor; to or into a lower or an inferior condition; as, into a state of humility, disgrace, misery, and the like; into a state of rest; - used with verbs indicating motion.
It will be rain to-night. Let it come down.
I sit me down beside the hazel grove.
And that drags down his life.
There is not a more melancholy object in the learned world than a man who has written himself down.
The French . . . shone down [i. e., outshone] the English.
Up
Being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level;
The anchor is up
The sun is up
He lay face up
He is up by a pawn
The market is up
The corn is up
Down
In a low or the lowest position, literally or figuratively; at the bottom of a descent; below the horizon; on the ground; in a condition of humility, dejection, misery, and the like; in a state of quiet.
I was down and out of breath.
The moon is down; I have not heard the clock.
He that is down needs fear no fall.
Up
Getting higher or more vigorous;
Its an up market
An improving economy
Down
From a remoter or higher antiquity.
Venerable men! you have come down to us from a former generation.
Up
Extending or moving toward a higher place;
The up staircase
A general upward movement of fish
Down
From a greater to a less bulk, or from a thinner to a thicker consistence; as, to boil down in cookery, or in making decoctions.
Come down upon us with a mighty power.
Up
(usually followed by `on' or `for') in readiness;
He was up on his homework
Had to be up for the game
Down
In a descending direction along; from a higher to a lower place upon or within; at a lower place in or on; as, down a hill; down a well.
Up
Open;
The windows are up
Down
Hence: Towards the mouth of a river; towards the sea; as, to sail or swim down a stream; to sail down the sound.
Up
(used of computers) operating properly;
How soon will the computers be up?
Down
Downcast; as, a down look.
Up
Used up;
Time is up
Down
Downright; absolute; positive; as, a down denial.
Up
Out of bed;
Are they astir yet?
Up by seven each morning
Down
Downward; going down; sloping; as, a down stroke; a down grade; a down train on a railway.
Up
Spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position;
Look up!
The music surged up
The fragments flew upwards
Prices soared upwards
Upwardly mobile
Down
Soft fine feathers
Up
To a higher intensity;
He turned up the volume
Down
(American football) a complete play to advance the football;
You have 4 downs to gain 10 yards
Up
Nearer to the speaker;
He walked up and grabbed my lapels
Down
English physician who first described Down's syndrome (1828-1896)
Up
To a more central or a more northerly place;
Was transferred up to headquarters
Up to Canada for a vacation
Down
(usually plural) a rolling treeless highland with little soil
Up
To a later time;
They moved the meeting date up
From childhood upward
Down
Fine soft dense hair (as the fine short hair of cattle or deer or the wool of sheep or the undercoat of certain dogs)
Down
Eat immoderately;
Some people can down a pound of meat in the course of one meal
Down
Bring down or defeat (an opponent)
Down
Shoot at and force to come down;
The enemy landed several of our aircraft
Down
Cause to come or go down;
The policeman downed the heavily armed suspect
The mugger knocked down the old lady after she refused to hand over her wallet
Down
Improve or perfect by pruning or polishing;
Refine one's style of writing
Down
Being or moving lower in position or less in some value;
Lay face down
The moon is down
Our team is down by a run
Down by a pawn
The stock market is down today
Down
Becoming progressively lower;
The down trend in the real estate market
Down
Understood perfectly;
Had his algebra problems down
Down
Extending or moving from a higher to a lower place;
The down staircase
The downward course of the stream
Down
Out;
Two down in the last of the ninth
Down
Lower than previously;
The market is depressed
Prices are down
Down
Shut;
The shades were down
Down
Cut down;
The tree is down
Down
Not functioning (temporarily or permanently);
We can't work because the computer is down
Down
Low in spirits;
Lonely and blue in a strange city
Depressed by the loss of his job
A dispirited and resigned expression on her face
Downcast after his defeat
Feeling discouraged and downhearted
Down
The fractional price paid in cash at time of purchase;
The down payment
A payment of $200 down
Down
Spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position;
Don't fall down
Rode the lift up and skied down
Prices plunged downward
Down
Away from a more central or a more northerly place;
Was sent down to work at the regional office
Worked down on the farm
Came down for the wedding
Flew down to Florida
Down
Paid in cash at time of purchase;
Put ten dollars down on the necklace
Down
From an earlier time;
The story was passed down from father to son
Down
To a lower intensity;
He slowly phased down the light until the stage was completely black
Down
In an inactive or inoperative state;
The factory went down during the strike
The computer went down again
Common Curiosities
Can "up" have negative connotations?
While generally positive, "up" can be negative in certain contexts, like "up in arms," which implies being upset or angry.
What does "up" indicate in spatial terms?
"Up" indicates movement or positioning toward a higher spatial point or elevation.
How can "down" be used to describe emotional states?
"Down" can describe feelings of sadness or depression, as in "feeling down."
How do "up" and "down" relate to performance trends?
"Up" often signifies improvement or increase in performance, while "down" suggests a decline.
How do "up" and "down" function in financial contexts?
They describe market movements, with "up" indicating growth or gain, and "down" indicating loss or decline.
Can "up" and "down" be used in non-physical contexts?
Yes, they're frequently used metaphorically to describe trends, emotions, and abstract concepts.
Do "up" and "down" have scientific meanings?
Yes, in science, they describe directions in space, forces, and phenomena, with precise definitions depending on the context.
What role do "up" and "down" play in technology?
In technology, "up" and "down" can describe operational status, with "up" meaning functioning and "down" meaning not working.
Can "up" and "down" be subjective?
Yes, their interpretation can be subjective, particularly in describing mood or quality, and may vary based on individual perspective.
Is "down" always negative?
"Down" often has negative implications, but it can be neutral or positive depending on context, such as "wind down" implying relaxation.
How do "up" and "down" relate to hierarchy?
"Up" can imply higher status or rank, while "down" can suggest lower status or subordinate position.
How are "up" and "down" used in sports?
They can describe the direction of play, score trends, or the status of teams and players in terms of performance.
Can "up" and "down" affect mood?
Yes, words and their connotations can influence mood and perception, with "up" generally uplifting and "down" potentially dampening spirits.
How do directions "up" and "down" influence language?
They're foundational in language, creating numerous idioms, phrasal verbs, and expressions that convey orientation, mood, and trends.
Are "up" and "down" used differently in various cultures?
While their fundamental meanings are consistent, cultural nuances can affect how they're used and interpreted in language and symbolism.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
