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3. come down to

come down to

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come down to something

to be reduced to something; to amount to no more than something. It comes down to whether you want to go to the movies or stay at home and watch television. It came down to either getting a job or going to college.

See also: come, down

come down to (something)

to be recognized as the most important thing It comes down to simply teaching the basics to these kids--they don't know anything.

See also: come, down

come down to

Also, come right down to. Amount to or be reduced to, as in It all comes down to a matter of who was first in line, or When it comes right down to it, you have to admit he was mistaken. [Late 1800s] Also see boil down, def. 2.

See also: come, down

come down to

1. To confront or deal with forthrightly: When you come right down to it, you have to admit I'm correct.

2. To amount to in essence: It comes down to this: the man is a cheat.

See also: come, down