The English phrasal verb TAKE DOWN has the following meanings:
1. Take down = to make notes or write something down
(transitive) When you are listening to a person or looking at something and you make notes so that you remember it later. Synonyms are record or transcribe.
- The employer took down notes during the interview.
- This will be on the exam. Make sure you take it down.
- Were you able to take down the license plate of the car that hit you?
2. Take down = to remove
(transitive) When you remove or dismantle something, often something that has been hanging up. Synonyms are disassemble or bring down.
- That poster is hideous. Can you please take it down?
- I need to take down the Christmas lights.
- When do you take down your Halloween decorations?
3. Take down = to bring something from a higher position to a lower one.
(transitive – informal) to bring something from a higher position to a lower position. This can include lowering an item of clothing (such as pants or skirts) below the waist but without fully removing them. They often are left around the ankles.
- Can you take the book down from the top shelf and leave it on my desk please?
- The nurse told me to take down my trousers so she could give me the injection.
- The mother took down her baby’s pants in order to change the diapers.
4. Take (someone) down = to defeat someone.
(transitive – informal) to defeat or kill someone or to stop someone from causing harm.
- The soldier was taken down by a rogue bullet.
- The mother took down the baby’s pants in order to change the diapers.
- Their team was taken down in the final game.
- The wrestler said he was about to take his opponent down.
Take down – Summary Chart
