Decline meaning in English
Learn how to use Decline correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
to decline: to decrease, to reduce, to lower; to refuse, to say no
a decline (in quality): a reduction, a lowering, a decrease, a fall (in quality)
Examples
- "Brian : No, It's a financial term. Businesses stop expanding, revenues decline, employment falls and unemployment rises."
- "Whenever a delicate question is asked, or one which you can't or don't want to answer, feel free to tactfully decline a response."
Exercise 1
"Thanks for the offer Frank...I think I'll pass."
What does Donna mean when she says this?
What does Donna mean when she says this?
"Thanks for the offer Frank...I think I'll pass."
What does Donna mean when she says this?
What does Donna mean when she says this?
This is incorrect. In this context, to "pass" means to "decline". The phrasal verb "to pass on" does mean to transfer ("Can you pass this birthday card on to the others once you've signed it"), however this is not the meaning of "pass" in this particular context.
This is the correct answer. In this context, to "pass (on an offer)" means to decline it, for example: -Would you like to go to the movies tonight? -No thanks, I think I'll pass. In the audio, Donna declines Frank's offer to father a child "the old-fashioned way". Note that in another context, the phrasal verb "to pass on" means to transfer, for example: Can you pass on my regards to John?
This is incorrect. Donna is saying "no" to Frank's offer, not accepting it.
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