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wind down

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wind down

to start running or operating slower. Things will begin to wind down at the end of the summer. As things wind down, life will be a lot easier. The clock wound down and finally stopped.

See also: down, wind

wind something down

to slow something down; to make something less hectic. Let's wind this party down and try to get people to go home. It's really late. We tried to wind down the party, but it kept running.

See also: down, wind

wind down (something)

to end or cause something to end gradually The storm finally began to wind down after four hours of heavy rain. We wound down our affairs in Europe and left for home.

See also: down, wind

wind down

Diminish gradually, draw to a close, as in By midnight the party had wound down. [Mid-1900s] Also see wind up.

See also: down, wind

wind down

v.

1. To diminish gradually in energy, intensity, or scope: The party wound down as guests began to leave.

2. To cause something to diminish in energy, intensity, or scope: We should wind down this meeting and go home. The discussions have been interesting, but now it's time to wind them down and go home.

See also: down, wind