Speak down meaning in English
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Definition
to speak down (to someone): to be condescending or patronizing, to speak to someone as if they are inferior to you
Exercise 1
Brian writes "why are you shouting?".
What might you say to someone who is "shouting"?
There may be more than one correct choice!
What might you say to someone who is "shouting"?
There may be more than one correct choice!
Brian writes "why are you shouting?".
What might you say to someone who is "shouting"?
There may be more than one correct choice!
What might you say to someone who is "shouting"?
There may be more than one correct choice!
"To speak up" means "to talk louder". We do not say "speak up" to someone who is shouting (unless we are being sarcastic!).
"To shout" means to speak, call or cry loudly. "Could you keep the noise down a bit?" is a polite way of asking people to stop shouting and speak more quietly. In electronic correspondence, "shouting" describes the practice of writing in capital letters.
It might seem logical, but "To speak down" is not used as the opposite to "speak up" (asking someone to speak louder)! "To speak down" means to talk to someone in a condescending manner. For example: "my boss is always speaking down to people as if they were stupid".
"Could you be quiet please?" is a polite way of asking people to stop shouting and speak more quietly. "Quiet" is the opposite of "loud".
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