write-down
/ˈrīt-ˌdau̇n/ (ame, mw)
write-down — phrasal verb
- write-downbase form
- write-downs3rd person singular
- write-downing-ing form
- write-downedpast simple
1. to put words or numbers onto paper, or type them into a device, so that you can
to put words or numbers onto paper, or type them into a device, so that you can check them later and not lose the information.
Selim wrote down the woman's phone number on the back of an envelope.
write down + [information] on [surface]
Reema asked the doctor to write down the name of the medicine for her.
The waiter wrote down everyone's order and walked quickly to the kitchen.
Ife listened to the message and wrote the address down before it ended.
Talia keeps a small notebook so she can write down ideas that come to her.
文法句型
write down + something
write + something + down
用法筆記
Separable phrasal verb. With noun objects, you can say either 'write down the number' or 'write the number down.' With a pronoun, only the separated form works: you must say 'write it down,' never 'write down it.'
常見錯誤
2. to lower the official recorded value of something a company owns, because it is
to lower the official recorded value of something a company owns, because it is now worth less than the amount shown in the accounts.
Cole's company wrote down the value of its factory by six million euros.
write down + [asset value] + by [amount]
The bank wrote down two hundred million dollars in unpaid business loans.
Ari advised the board to write down the software assets after the contract ended.
Lucía noticed the firm had written down its property holdings without explanation.
Investors sold their shares after the airline wrote down its fleet of old planes.
- write up
the reverse accounting action: increasing the recorded book value of an asset
文法句型
write down + [asset]
write down + [amount] in [assets]
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in accounting, finance, and business. The subject is typically a company, bank, or institution rather than an individual person.
write-down — noun
1. an accounting entry that lowers the recorded worth of something a company owns,
an accounting entry that lowers the recorded worth of something a company owns, because that item has lost value since it first appeared on the books.
Anya's firm reported a write-down of four hundred million on its foreign holdings.
a write-down of [amount] on [asset]
Nia announced a write-down of the warehouse inventory after floodwaters damaged half the stock.
Romi calculated the write-down for the damaged inventory before the audit.
The quarterly results included a large write-down on the company's office buildings.
After the write-down, the equipment showed a book value of almost nothing.
- impairment
formal accounting term for a permanent drop in an asset's recoverable value
- devaluation
broader; most often used for currencies rather than company assets
- write-up
an accounting adjustment that increases the stated value of an asset
用法筆記
Always written with a hyphen. Countable noun — you can refer to 'a write-down' or 'several write-downs.' Compare with 'write-off,' which removes an asset from the books entirely rather than just reducing its value.
常見錯誤
write-down — verb
- write-downpresent simple I / you / we / they
- write-downs3rd person singular
- write-downing-ing form
- write-downedpast simple
1. to put ideas, facts, or events into writing so they can be kept, shared, or stud
to put ideas, facts, or events into writing so they can be kept, shared, or studied later.
Hyun wrote down every detail of the conversation while it was still fresh.
write down + [details]
The scientist wrote down the results of each test in a thick research log.
Andrei wrote down the recipe as his mother explained it, step by step.
The officer wrote down Theo's account of the accident without interrupting him.
A young journalist wrote down the names of everyone who spoke at the rally.
- record
more formal tone; suggests creating an official or permanent account
- transcribe
specifically means converting spoken words into written form
- document
implies creating a detailed written record, often for official purposes
文法句型
write down + [details/facts/ideas]
用法筆記
Often followed by a that-clause or a detailed list. Distinguish from the phrasal verb sense RECORD ON PAPER: this verb sense emphasizes creating a lasting written record rather than a quick note for personal memory.
2. to criticize or belittle someone or their work through published writing, such a
to criticize or belittle someone or their work through published writing, such as a review, article, or commentary.
A powerful critic wrote down the young director's first feature film.
write down + [creative work]
The magazine columnist wrote down the new restaurant without even eating there.
Several reviewers wrote down the exhibition, calling the paintings dull and shallow.
The editor wrote down the writer's latest manuscript in a short, harsh email.
Critics wrote down the play in every major paper, yet audiences loved it.
- praise
express warm approval in speech or writing
文法句型
write down + [creative work or person]
用法筆記
The object is usually a creative work (book, film, play, exhibition) or its creator. Common in passive voice: 'The novel was written down by critics.'
常見錯誤
3. to lower the position, rank, or assessed worth of someone or something, often th
to lower the position, rank, or assessed worth of someone or something, often through an official decision or formal assessment.
The board wrote down the priority of the project after funding was cut.
write down + [priority/status]
Analysts wrote down the company's growth forecast after the weak sales report.
The general wrote down the officer's rank following the investigation results.
The agency wrote down the credit rating of several regional banks last quarter.
Ada wrote down the café's hygiene rating after inspectors spotted mice in the kitchen.
- upgrade
raise the status, rank, or assessed value of something
文法句型
write down + [status/rank/value]
用法筆記
Can apply to both concrete things (prices, credit ratings, forecasts) and abstract ones (status, rank, importance). Distinguish from REDUCE BOOK VALUE (phrasal verb sense 2), which is limited to accounting contexts.
4. to produce writing that targets readers with simpler tastes or less knowledge, o
to produce writing that targets readers with simpler tastes or less knowledge, often in a way that feels condescending.
The publisher asked the author to write down the history book for younger readers.
write down + [content] for [audience]
The show's writers were told to write down the script so more people would watch.
Good teachers explain difficult topics without writing down to their students.
The novelist refused to write down her story just to sell more copies.
The documentary was written down so much that researchers found it almost useless.
- oversimplify
focuses on the loss of complexity rather than the condescending attitude
- dumb down
informal and more openly critical of the result
文法句型
write down to + [audience]
write down + [content]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'to' plus the target audience: 'write down to readers.' Some speakers consider this usage dated. When transitive without 'to,' the meaning is the same: 'write down a textbook' means to simplify it for a less knowledgeable audience.