PhrasesHub

wound down

    Definitions

      • relax or reduce activity
        To gradually relax or reduce the level of activity or intensity, especially at the end of a busy or stressful period

      • come to an end
        To gradually come to an end or conclusion, especially in a gradual and orderly manner

    Examples of wound down

    • The car battery had wound down over the weekend due to lack of use.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where something has gradually lost its energy or stopped functioning. In this example, the car battery, which was previously charged, has lost its power over time because it was not being used consistently.

    • By the end of the meeting, everyone was winding down, eager to leave and get home.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where people begin to lose their energy or concentration towards the end of an event or task. In this example, the attendees of the meeting became less interested and engaged as the meeting drew to a close, and were eager to leave and go home.

    • After a long day of work, I decided to wind down by reading a book and having a cup of tea.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to relax or unwind after a busy or stressful day. In this example, the speaker is unwinding by reading a book and having a cup of tea, as they intend to de-stress and rejuvenate themselves after a long day of work.

    • The winding down of the economy has led to a rise in unemployment and loss of business.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where economic activity is gradually decreasing, leading to negative economic outcomes. In this example, the slowing down of the economy has led to an increase in unemployment and a decrease in business activity, indicating a negative economic trend.

    • The clock wound down to midnight, signaling the end of the day.

      The phrase "wound down" here means "decreased in activity or intensity gradually" as the clock's mechanical movement, represented by the winding of its mainspring, comes to a slow halt.

    • After a long week, Sarah's energy wound down, and she couldn't stay awake to watch her favorite TV show.

      "Wound down" also implies "relaxed" or "calmed down" since Sarah's body and mind became less tense as she unwound from her busy workdays.

    • The business had wound down, and the owner had sold off most of its assets due to financial troubles.

      In this instance, "wound down" refers to a gradual deterioration or reduction in operations or resources of the company caused by hardship.

    • The party slowly wound down as guests drifted home, leaving behind an empty house and remnants of the night's festivities.

      Here, "wound down" signifies a gradual end to an event, where things start to quieten down and come to an end as people leave and depart from the scene.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "wound down" can be used to describe both the act of relaxing or reducing activity, as well as the gradual conclusion of something. It can be used in various contexts, such as winding down after a long day of work, winding down a project, or winding down a business.

    Origin of "wound down"

    The origin of the idiom "wound down" can be traced back to the mechanical winding of clocks and other devices. In the past, mechanical devices often needed to be wound up in order to operate, and as they ran out of energy, they would gradually wind down. This process of winding down was associated with a decrease in activity and intensity.

    Over time, the idiom "wound down" became associated with the gradual relaxation or decrease in activity, as well as the gradual conclusion of something. It is now commonly used in everyday language to describe the process of relaxing or coming to an end in a gradual and orderly manner.