Down vs. Up

Down vs. Up — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Down and Up

Downnoun

(especially southern England) A hill, especially a chalk hill; rolling grassland

We went for a walk over the downs.The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east England.

Upadverb

Away from the surface of the Earth or other planet; in opposite direction to the downward pull of gravity.

I looked up and saw the airplane overhead.

Downnoun

(usually plural) A field, especially one used for horse racing.

Upadverb

(intensifier) Used as an aspect marker to indicate a completed action or state Thoroughly, completely.

I will mix up the puzzle pieces.Tear up the contract.He really messed up.Please type up our monthly report.

Downnoun

A tract of poor, sandy, undulating or hilly land near the sea, covered with fine turf which serves chiefly for the grazing of sheep.

Upadverb

To or from one's possession or consideration.

I picked up some milk on the way home.The committee will take up your request.She had to give up her driver's license after the accident.
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Downnoun

(American football) Any of the four chances for a team to successfully move the ball for the yards needed to keep possession of the ball.

first down, second down, etc.

Upadverb

North.

I will go up to New York to visit my family this weekend.

Downnoun

A negative aspect; a downer.

I love almost everything about my job. The only down is that I can't take Saturdays off.

Upadverb

To a higher level of some quantity or notional quantity, such as price, volume, pitch, happiness, etc.

Gold has gone up with the uncertainty in the world markets.Turn it up, I can barely hear it.Listen to your voice go up at the end of a question.Cheer up, the weekend's almost here.

Downnoun

(dated) A grudge (on someone).

Upadverb

(rail transport) Traditional term for the direction leading to the principal terminus, towards milepost zero.

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Downnoun

An act of swallowing an entire drink at once.

Upadverb

(sailing) Against the wind or current.

Downnoun

(American football) A single play, from the time the ball is snapped (the start) to the time the whistle is blown (the end) when the ball is down, or is downed.

I bet after the third down, the kicker will replace the quarterback on the field.

Upadverb

(Cartesian graph) In a positive vertical direction.

Downnoun

(crosswords) A clue whose solution runs vertically in the grid.

I haven't solved 12 or 13 across, but I've got most of the downs.

Upadverb

(cricket) Relatively close to the batsman.

The bowler pitched the ball up.

Downnoun

A downstairs room of a two-story house.

She lives in a two-up two-down.

Upadverb

Without additional ice.

Would you like that drink up or on ice?

Downnoun

Down payment.

Upadverb

Towards Cambridge or Oxford.

She's going up to read Classics this September.

Downnoun

Soft, fluffy immature feathers which grow on young birds. Used as insulating material in duvets, sleeping bags and jackets.

Upadverb

To or in a position of equal advance or equality; not short of, back of, less advanced than, away from, etc.; usually followed by to or with.

I was up to my chin in water.A stranger came up and asked me for directions.

Downnoun

(botany) The pubescence of plants; the hairy crown or envelope of the seeds of certain plants, such as the thistle.

Upadverb

To or in a state of completion; completely; wholly; quite.

Drink up. The pub is closing.Can you sum up your research?The comet burned up in the atmosphere.I need to sew up the hole in this shirt.

Downnoun

The soft hair of the face when beginning to appear.

Upadverb

Aside, so as not to be in use.

to lay up riches; put up your weapons

Downnoun

That which is made of down, as a bed or pillow; that which affords ease and repose, like a bed of down.

Uppreposition

Toward the top of.

The cat went up the tree.They walk up the steps.

Downadverb

(comparable) From a higher position to a lower one; downwards.

The cat jumped down from the table.

Uppreposition

Toward the center, source, or main point of reference; toward the end at which something is attached.

The information made its way up the chain of command to the general.I felt something crawling up my arm.

Downadverb

(comparable) At a lower and/or further along or away place or position along a set path.

His place is farther down the road.The company was well down the path to bankruptcy.

Uppreposition

Further along (in any direction).

Go up the street until you see the sign.

Downadverb

South (as south is at the bottom of typical maps).

I went down to Miami for a conference.

Uppreposition

From south to north of

Downadverb

(Ireland) Away from the city (even if the location is to the North).

He went down to Cavan.down on the farmdown country

Uppreposition

From the mouth towards the source (of a river or waterway).

Downadverb

(sport) Towards the opponent's side (in ball-sports).

Uppreposition

(vulgar slang) Of a man: having sex with.

Phwoar, look at that bird. I'd love to be up her.

Downadverb

Into a state of non-operation.

The computer has been shut down.They closed the shop down.

Uppreposition

(colloquial) At (a given place, especially one imagined to be higher or more remote from a central location).

Downadverb

To a subordinate or less prestigious position or rank.

Smith was sent down to the minors to work on his batting.After the incident, Kelly went down to Second Lieutenant.

Upadjective

Awake.

I can’t believe it’s 3 a.m. and you’re still up.

Downadverb

(rail transport) In the direction leading away from the principal terminus, away from milepost zero.

Upadjective

Finished, to an end

Time is up!

Downadverb

Get down.

Down, boy!

Upadjective

In a good mood.

I’m feeling up today.

Downadverb

Away from Oxford or Cambridge.

He's gone back down to Newcastle for Christmas.

Upadjective

Willing; ready.

If you are up for a trip, let’s go.

Downadverb

From a remoter or higher antiquity.

Upadjective

Next in a sequence.

Smith is up to bat.

Downadverb

From a greater to a less bulk, or from a thinner to a thicker consistence.

Upadjective

Happening; new.

What is up with that project at headquarters?

Downadverb

From less to greater detail.

Upadjective

Facing upwards; facing toward the top.

Put the notebook face up on the table.Take a break and put your feet up.

Downadverb

(intensifier) Used with verbs to add emphasis to the action of the verb.

They tamped (down) the asphalt to get a better bond.

Upadjective

Larger; greater in quantity.

Sales are up from last quarter.

Downadverb

Used with verbs to indicate that the action of the verb was carried to some state of completion, rather than being of indefinite duration.

He boiled the mixture./He boiled down the mixture.He sat waiting./He sat down and waited.

Upadjective

Ahead; leading; winning.

The home team were up by two goals at half-time.

Downpreposition

From the higher end to the lower of.

The ball rolled down the hill.

Upadjective

Standing.

Get up and give her your seat.

Downpreposition

From one end to another of.

The bus went down the street.They walked down the beach holding hands.

Upadjective

On a higher level.

The new ground is up.

Downadjective

(informal) sad, unhappy, Depressed, feeling low.

Upadjective

Available; made public.

The new notices are up as of last Tuesday.

Downadjective

Sick or ill.

He is down with the flu.

Upadjective

Said of the higher-ranking pair in a two pair.

AAKK = aces upQQ33 = queens up

Downadjective

At a lower level than before.

The stock market is down.Prices are down.

Upadjective

Well-informed; current.

I’m not up on the latest news. What’s going on?

Downadjective

Having a lower score than an opponent.

They are down by 3-0 with just 5 minutes to play.He was down by a bishop and a pawn after 15 moves.At 5-1 down, she produced a great comeback to win the set on a tiebreak.

Upadjective

(computing) Functional; working.

Is the server back up?

Downadjective

Out.

Two down and one to go in the bottom of the ninth.

Upadjective

(of a railway line or train) Traveling towards a major terminus.

The London train is on the up line.

Downadjective

(colloquial) With "on", negative about, hostile to

Ever since Nixon, I've been down on Republicans.

Upadjective

Headed, or designated to go, upward, as an escalator, stairway, elevator etc.

Downadjective

Comfortable with, accepting of.

He's chill enough; he'd probably be totally down with it.Are you down to hang out at the mall, Jamal?As long as you're down with helping me pick a phone, Tyrone.

Upadjective

(bar tending) Chilled and strained into a stemmed glass.

A Cosmopolitan is typically served up.

Downadjective

(not comparable) Inoperable; out of order; out of service.

The system is down.

Upadjective

(slang) Erect.

Downadjective

Finished (of a task); defeated or dealt with (of an opponent or obstacle); elapsed (of time). Often coupled with to go (remaining).

Two down and three to go. (Two tasks completed and three more still to be done.)Ten minutes down and nothing's happened yet.

Upadjective

(of the Sun or Moon) Above the horizon, in the sky (i.e. during daytime or night-time)

Downadjective

Wounded and unable to move normally; killed.

We have an officer down outside the suspect's house.There are three soldiers down and one walking wounded.

Upadjective

well-known; renowned

Downadjective

Mechanically failed, collided, shot down, or otherwise suddenly unable to fly.

We have a chopper down near the river.

Upnoun

(uncountable) The direction opposed to the pull of gravity.

Up is a good way to go.

Downadjective

Thoroughly practiced, learned or memorised; mastered. Compare down pat.

It's two weeks until opening night and our lines are still not down yet.

Upnoun

(countable) A positive thing.

I hate almost everything about my job. The only up is that it's so close to home.

Downadjective

(obsolete) Downright; absolute; positive.

Upnoun

An upstairs room of a two story house.

She lives in a two-up two-down.

Downverb

(transitive) To drink or swallow, especially without stopping before the vessel containing the liquid is empty.

He downed an ale and ordered another.

Upverb

To increase or raise.

If we up the volume, we'll be able to make out the details.We upped anchor and sailed away.

Downverb

(transitive) To cause to come down; to knock down or subdue.

The storm downed several old trees along the highway.

Upverb

To promote.

It wasn’t long before they upped him to Vice President.

Downverb

To put a ball in a pocket; to pot a ball.

He downed two balls on the break.

Upverb

(intransitive) To act suddenly, usually with another verb.

He just upped and quit.He upped and punched that guy.

Downverb

To bring a play to an end by touching the ball to the ground or while it is on the ground.

He downed it at the seven-yard line.

Upverb

(intransitive) To ascend; to climb up.

Downverb

(transitive) To write off; to make fun of.

Upverb

To upload.

100 new apps and games have just been upped.

Downverb

To go down; to descend.

Upverb

raise;

up the ante

Downverb

(transitive) To cover, ornament, line, or stuff with down.

Upadjective

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level;

the anchor is upthe sun is uphe lay face uphe is up by a pawnthe market is upthe corn is up

Downnoun

soft fine feathers

Upadjective

getting higher or more vigorous;

its an up marketan improving economy

Downnoun

(American football) a complete play to advance the football;

you have 4 downs to gain 10 yards

Upadjective

extending or moving toward a higher place;

the up staircasea general upward movement of fish

Downnoun

English physician who first described Down's syndrome (1828-1896)

Upadjective

(usually followed by `on' or `for') in readiness;

he was up on his homeworkhad to be up for the game

Downnoun

(usually plural) a rolling treeless highland with little soil

Upadjective

open;

the windows are up

Downnoun

fine soft dense hair (as the fine short hair of cattle or deer or the wool of sheep or the undercoat of certain dogs)

Upadjective

(used of computers) operating properly;

how soon will the computers be up?

Downverb

drink down entirely;

He downed three martinis before dinnerShe killed a bottle of brandy that nightThey popped a few beer after work

Upadjective

used up;

time is up

Downverb

eat immoderately;

Some people can down a pound of meat in the course of one meal

Upadjective

out of bed;

are they astir yet?up by seven each morning

Downverb

bring down or defeat (an opponent)

Upadverb

spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position;

look up!the music surged upthe fragments flew upwardsprices soared upwardsupwardly mobile

Downverb

shoot at and force to come down;

the enemy landed several of our aircraft

Upadverb

to a higher intensity;

he turned up the volume

Downverb

cause to come or go down;

The policeman downed the heavily armed suspectThe mugger knocked down the old lady after she refused to hand over her wallet

Upadverb

nearer to the speaker;

he walked up and grabbed my lapels

Downverb

improve or perfect by pruning or polishing;

refine one's style of writing

Upadverb

to a more central or a more northerly place;

was transferred up to headquartersup to Canada for a vacation

Downadjective

being or moving lower in position or less in some value;

lay face downthe moon is downour team is down by a rundown by a pawnthe stock market is down today

Upadverb

to a later time;

they moved the meeting date upfrom childhood upward

Downadjective

becoming progressively lower;

the down trend in the real estate market

Downadjective

understood perfectly;

had his algebra problems down

Downadjective

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place;

the down staircasethe downward course of the stream

Downadjective

out;

two down in the last of the ninth

Downadjective

lower than previously;

the market is depressedprices are down

Downadjective

shut;

the shades were down

Downadjective

cut down;

the tree is down

Downadjective

not functioning (temporarily or permanently);

we can't work because the computer is down

Downadjective

low in spirits;

lonely and blue in a strange citydepressed by the loss of his joba dispirited and resigned expression on her facedowncast after his defeatfeeling discouraged and downhearted

Downadjective

the fractional price paid in cash at time of purchase;

the down paymenta payment of $200 down

Downadverb

spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position;

don't fall downrode the lift up and skied downprices plunged downward

Downadverb

away from a more central or a more northerly place;

was sent down to work at the regional officeworked down on the farmcame down for the weddingflew down to Florida

Downadverb

paid in cash at time of purchase;

put ten dollars down on the necklace

Downadverb

from an earlier time;

the story was passed down from father to son

Downadverb

to a lower intensity;

he slowly phased down the light until the stage was completely black

Downadverb

in an inactive or inoperative state;

the factory went down during the strikethe computer went down again