Downturn meaning in English
Learn how to use Downturn correctly with Gymglish.
Test and improve your English. Start your free trial today.
TEST YOUR ENGLISH
Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,7 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 8 million learners worldwide
Definition
an (economic) downturn: an (economic) crash, decrease, fall
There has been a serious downturn in our profits these last months. This time last year we were selling 50,000 units a month and this month we have sold 20,000.
Examples
- "Your role is critical in maintaining our strong sales numbers despite the economic downturn."
- "A lot of this is due to anxiety over the downturn in the economy and its effect on consumer spending."
- "With this in mind, despite the current economic downturn, I'm optimistic that this coming year will be good for us."
- "It could be that the economic downturn in this country is finally having an effect on Warbuckle's Department Stores."
- "Brian : It's a temporary downturn in economic activity, usually indicated by two consecutive quarters of a falling GDP."
- "Still, with the recent economic downturn following the collapse of numerous dot coms and start-ups in Silicon Valley, San Francisco has had to look elsewhere for a boost."
Exercise 1
Warbuckle suggests several possible reasons for his current financial situation.
What are they?
There may be more than one correct answer!
Hint: Choose only the reasons given by Harold himself.
What are they?
There may be more than one correct answer!
Hint: Choose only the reasons given by Harold himself.
Warbuckle suggests several possible reasons for his current financial situation.
What are they?
There may be more than one correct answer!
Hint: Choose only the reasons given by Harold himself.
What are they?
There may be more than one correct answer!
Hint: Choose only the reasons given by Harold himself.
This statement is false. Warbuckle never admits in the dialogue that he is spending money on unnecessary things. It is actually Bruno who makes this suggestion when he tells Warbuckle, "It seems to me that your spending on personal luxuries is out of control".
This is a true statement. Warbuckle speculates that "the market for Warbuckle's goods has dried up". The expression "to dry up" is used here figuratively to indicate that the market (and the demand for Warbuckle's products specifically) is not as profitable, lucrative or fruitful as it once was. Example: When the tech boom of the 90's dried up, many people lost money. The verb "to dry" literally refers to something becoming less wet (when put in the sun, for example). Warbuckle believes that a reduced demand for his products and a poor market may be responsible for his current financial state.
This is a true statement. Warbuckle tells Bruno, "It could be that the economic downturn in this country is finally having an effect on Warbuckle's Department Stores". An "economic downturn" refers to a decline in economic activity, or a recession. Warbuckle believes that this recession may be responsible for his current financial situation.
This is a true statement. Warbuckle says that the reason for his current financial situation could be the result of "some bad investments overseas". He is referring to some bad international investments he has made. The term "overseas" refers to countries located "abroad" or far away from one's own country. "Overseas" is synonymous with "international" in this context, and "poor" means "bad" here.
Exercise 2
Let's take a closer look at some financial vocabulary, ok?
Fill in the blanks below with terms used in Bruno's speech.
These are the fixed costs or expenses of running a business including rent, utilities, and taxes, etc.
This is a period of economic decline or recession.
In a company, this term is the sum of all financial records of salaries, wages, bonuses, and deductions.
Fill in the blanks below with terms used in Bruno's speech.
These are the fixed costs or expenses of running a business including rent, utilities, and taxes, etc.
"Our is high this year, since we expanded and moved to bigger offices".
This is a period of economic decline or recession.
"The housing market took a and many people were not able to sell their houses".
In a company, this term is the sum of all financial records of salaries, wages, bonuses, and deductions.
"The personnel is too high, we might need to cut some salaries".
Let's take a closer look at some financial vocabulary, ok?
Fill in the blanks below with terms used in Bruno's speech.
These are the fixed costs or expenses of running a business including rent, utilities, and taxes, etc.
This is a period of economic decline or recession.
In a company, this term is the sum of all financial records of salaries, wages, bonuses, and deductions.
Fill in the blanks below with terms used in Bruno's speech.
These are the fixed costs or expenses of running a business including rent, utilities, and taxes, etc.
"Our overhead 1 is high this year, since we expanded and moved to bigger offices".
This is a period of economic decline or recession.
"The housing market took a downturn 2 and many people were not able to sell their houses".
In a company, this term is the sum of all financial records of salaries, wages, bonuses, and deductions.
"The personnel payroll 3 is too high, we might need to cut some salaries".
1 overhead: In a financial context, "overhead" is the fixed costs of running a business, such as rent, utilities, etc. Bruno says "I'm pleased that our overhead remains relatively low despite our progressive expansion." This means that the company's operating expenses are still quite small despite the fact that it is growing progressively. In another context "overhead" can mean literally above one's head.
2 downturn: A "downturn" is a period of economic decline, for example: We are currently experiencing a downturn, and I doubt we will be able to expand this year. Bruno says that "despite the current economic downturn, I'm optimistic that this coming year will be good for us." This means that even though there is a period of slow economic growth (or even decline), he is confident that the Delavigne Corporation will perform well.
3 payroll: The "payroll" of a company refers to the cost of paying the salaries of a group of employees. Bruno says "We certainly have some important decisions to make regarding...personnel payroll." This means that the company needs to make some decisions about staff salaries. Note that "payroll" can also refer to a list of employees to be paid, with the amount due to each.
Exercise 3
Complete a summary of the article that you have just read using the most appropriate terms from the text.
This term is synonymous with "pessimistic", "dark", or "unpromising":
The outlook for sales during the Christmas period in the retail sector is according to most analysts.
This term is synonymous with "recession" or "decline":
There is an economic which is affecting consumer spending.
This term is synonymous with "price reductions" and "deductions":
To encourage spending, some retailers are offering big on a wide range of items.
This term is synonymous with "pessimistic", "dark", or "unpromising":
The outlook for sales during the Christmas period in the retail sector is according to most analysts.
This term is synonymous with "recession" or "decline":
There is an economic which is affecting consumer spending.
This term is synonymous with "price reductions" and "deductions":
To encourage spending, some retailers are offering big on a wide range of items.
Complete a summary of the article that you have just read using the most appropriate terms from the text.
This term is synonymous with "pessimistic", "dark", or "unpromising":
The outlook for sales during the Christmas period in the retail sector is gloomy 1 according to most analysts.
This term is synonymous with "recession" or "decline":
There is an economic downturn 2 which is affecting consumer spending.
This term is synonymous with "price reductions" and "deductions":
To encourage spending, some retailers are offering big discounts 3 on a wide range of items.
This term is synonymous with "pessimistic", "dark", or "unpromising":
The outlook for sales during the Christmas period in the retail sector is gloomy 1 according to most analysts.
This term is synonymous with "recession" or "decline":
There is an economic downturn 2 which is affecting consumer spending.
This term is synonymous with "price reductions" and "deductions":
To encourage spending, some retailers are offering big discounts 3 on a wide range of items.
1 gloomy: "Gloomy" means "unpromising", "grim", or "hopeless". It is frequently used in weather bulletins and economic predictions: "The forecast for the weekend is gloomy." "Gloomy" can be used to describe physical conditions which are "dark": Our hotel room was so gloomy, it didn't have any windows. In this context, "outlook" means the prospect for the future. "The outlook for peace in the Middle East is strongly negative."
2 downturn: This is correct. An "economic downturn" refers to a decline in economic activity, or a recession. On its own, a "downturn" is synonymous with a "decline". Example: "The war in that country caused a rise in cocoa prices, and a sharp downturn in the value of my shares in the chocolate industry."
3 discounts: This is correct. A "discount" is a price reduction, generally offered in an attempt to increase retail turnover. Example: "We can even offer discounts on this language program."
Exercise 4
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate financial terms from the list below:
revenue | unemployment | redundancy | downturn | quarter | GDP
This term describes a measurement of a country's earnings and spending.
'The UK's was $2.78 trillion last year. That's a lot of money!'
The next word refers to a 'slowing', 'decrease', or 'reduction':
'We are experiencing an economic : times are bad for businesses.'
Now find the word that refers to 'the number of people without a job':
'The levels in Bulgaria are very low: almost everyone has a job!'
Finally, a term that has nothing to do with finance! It is not in the list above but it was used in the dialogue.
This word means to 'predict', 'imagine', or 'make an estimate':
'I don't know the answer to the question so I'm going to have to the answer.'
revenue | unemployment | redundancy | downturn | quarter | GDP
This term describes a measurement of a country's earnings and spending.
'The UK's was $2.78 trillion last year. That's a lot of money!'
The next word refers to a 'slowing', 'decrease', or 'reduction':
'We are experiencing an economic : times are bad for businesses.'
Now find the word that refers to 'the number of people without a job':
'The levels in Bulgaria are very low: almost everyone has a job!'
Finally, a term that has nothing to do with finance! It is not in the list above but it was used in the dialogue.
This word means to 'predict', 'imagine', or 'make an estimate':
'I don't know the answer to the question so I'm going to have to the answer.'
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate financial terms from the list below:
revenue | unemployment | redundancy | downturn | quarter | GDP
This term describes a measurement of a country's earnings and spending.
'The UK's GDP 1 was $2.78 trillion last year. That's a lot of money!'
The next word refers to a 'slowing', 'decrease', or 'reduction':
'We are experiencing an economic downturn 2: times are bad for businesses.'
Now find the word that refers to 'the number of people without a job':
'The unemployment 3 levels in Bulgaria are very low: almost everyone has a job!'
Finally, a term that has nothing to do with finance! It is not in the list above but it was used in the dialogue.
This word means to 'predict', 'imagine', or 'make an estimate':
'I don't know the answer to the question so I'm going to have to guess 4 the answer.'
revenue | unemployment | redundancy | downturn | quarter | GDP
This term describes a measurement of a country's earnings and spending.
'The UK's GDP 1 was $2.78 trillion last year. That's a lot of money!'
The next word refers to a 'slowing', 'decrease', or 'reduction':
'We are experiencing an economic downturn 2: times are bad for businesses.'
Now find the word that refers to 'the number of people without a job':
'The unemployment 3 levels in Bulgaria are very low: almost everyone has a job!'
Finally, a term that has nothing to do with finance! It is not in the list above but it was used in the dialogue.
This word means to 'predict', 'imagine', or 'make an estimate':
'I don't know the answer to the question so I'm going to have to guess 4 the answer.'
1 GDP: 'GDP' is short for 'gross domestic product', and is the right answer here. If you want to get technical about what GDP is, I can tell you that a country's GDP is its consumption + gross investment + government spending + (exports - imports). Another example: 'Japan's GDP fell 1% over the past 12 months. It's a disaster!'.
2 downturn: 'Downturn' is the best choice here. A 'downturn' is a less successful period, when things slow down and growth is small. This is especially used for financial situations. Here's another example: 'Due to the current downturn, our sales are slowing and we're trying to find ways to reduce expenditure'.
3 unemployment: 'Unemployment' is the right answer. 'Unemployment' has two slightly different meanings. It can mean the state of being without a job: 'During my unemployment, I learnt how to speak Latin'. It can also refer to the number of people without work in a country: 'Unemployment has been falling for the past two years'.
4 guess: 'Guess' is the right answer! The verb 'to guess' expresses a similar meaning to the terms 'to imagine', 'to suppose', or 'to conjecture'. For example, 'I can't possibly guess how old your dog is'. In the dialogue, Brian encourages his colleagues to 'guess' the word he is thinking of. Note that we can also use this term to mean 'believe' or 'assume': 'I guess you're sad that your dog has dies'.
Exercise 5
Fill in the sentences below using words from this letter. Use the definitions to help you.
This word describes a recession or bad period, usually in an economic context. "American businesses are suffering from the recent economic ."
The word describes the act of becoming comfortable in a new place, such as a new city or new home. "It took almost two weeks for us to finally get in our new apartment."
This expression is often used in letters and emails. It means "in the name of" or "as a representative of". "I would like to offer you this gift the entire staff for your many years of hard work." (3 words)
This word describes a recession or bad period, usually in an economic context. "American businesses are suffering from the recent economic ."
The word describes the act of becoming comfortable in a new place, such as a new city or new home. "It took almost two weeks for us to finally get in our new apartment."
This expression is often used in letters and emails. It means "in the name of" or "as a representative of". "I would like to offer you this gift the entire staff for your many years of hard work." (3 words)
Fill in the sentences below using words from this letter. Use the definitions to help you.
This word describes a recession or bad period, usually in an economic context. "American businesses are suffering from the recent economic downturn 1."
The word describes the act of becoming comfortable in a new place, such as a new city or new home. "It took almost two weeks for us to finally get settled 2 in our new apartment."
This expression is often used in letters and emails. It means "in the name of" or "as a representative of". "I would like to offer you this gift on behalf of 3 the entire staff for your many years of hard work." (3 words)
This word describes a recession or bad period, usually in an economic context. "American businesses are suffering from the recent economic downturn 1."
The word describes the act of becoming comfortable in a new place, such as a new city or new home. "It took almost two weeks for us to finally get settled 2 in our new apartment."
This expression is often used in letters and emails. It means "in the name of" or "as a representative of". "I would like to offer you this gift on behalf of 3 the entire staff for your many years of hard work." (3 words)
1 downturn: An "economic downturn" refers to a decline in economic activity, or a recession. In this letter, Philip and Luna write that they hope to maintain Delavigne's client base despite the economic downturn. Note that a "downturn" can be used in any context (not exclusively financial) to refer to a decline.
2 settled: To "settle (in)" or to "get settled" (in a new city) means to become comfortable in it, generally after moving there. In this letter, the authors (Luna and Philip) suggest that the HR department may be able to help Lauren, a new Delavigne employee, get "settled" in San Francisco.
3 on behalf of: "On behalf of" is an expression which means "on the part of" or "for" in most contexts. This expression is often found in letters (I am writing on behalf of the citizens of San Francisco), or on the telephone (I am calling on behalf of my client, Bruno Delavigne).
Still unsure of the best way to use 'Downturn'? Improve your English thanks to our online English lessons. We offer a free test as well as a free level assessment!
What our users say:
Test your English with Gymglish today and get a free level assessment
Absolutely free - no strings attached.
