come down

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

2. 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]

3. 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).

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

Example Sentences

Mr Owen believes it comes down to helping people make an "informed choice".

From BBC

England have narrowly lost their last two games against Australia and New Zealand, with both coming down to the final play.

From BBC

“You can tell people are tired,” she said, “because we know as Black people that the hammer comes down on us harder.”

From Los Angeles Times

It has come down since then but prices are still rising steeply.

From BBC

When it comes down to it, the decision to use any medicine is a personal one in which mothers weigh the risks with the symptom relief provided.

From Salon