come down

Idioms  

1. Lose wealth or position, as in After the market crashed, the Tates really came down in the world . A 1382 translation of the Bible by followers of John Wycliffe had this term: “Come down from glory, sit in thirst” (Jeremiah 48:18).

2. Become reduced in size or amount, be lowered, as in Interest rates will have to come down before the economy recovers . [Mid-1600s]

3. Be handed down by inheritance, tradition, or a higher authority. For example, This painting has come down to us from our great-grandparents , or These stories have come down through the generations , or An indictment finally came down . [c. 1400]

4. Also, go down . Happen, occur, as in What's coming down tonight? [ Slang ; 1960s]

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Example Sentences

If peace prevails, jet fuel prices will ultimately come down, but it’s unlikely to be a swift return to normal.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

"Wholesale fuel costs are now significantly lower than they were at the start of the month, so forecourt prices should begin to come down," said the RAC's head of policy, Simon Williams.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

It was supposed to come down after the first year, but has cemented its legacy in the years since.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

A rule of thumb on an oil shock applies here: gas prices shoot up quickly, but come down slowly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The drops come down so hard they sting my face.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman