shut down

Idioms  

1. See close down , def. 1.

2. Stop or switch off machinery, as in They shut down all the machines for one week a year . [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

In Islamabad, heavily armed police and soldiers on Tuesday secured the city's government quarter, which was virtually shut down.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

Various gig companies, including Uber, Lyft and DoorDash, have said Proposition 22 is a crucial component of their businesses and threatened to shut down in the state if the proposition were struck down.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Not long after the global pandemic shut down the college baseball season in 2020, Gardner-Webb coach Jim Chester received a message that seemed too good to be true.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Officials say the decision to shut down the internet was taken for security reasons, suggesting that it is to prevent surveillance, espionage and cyber-attacks.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

And right when the Life Swallowers drop the blade from its frame, I shut down.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera