Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Wind Down: Meaning, Use & Origins

📖 Definition

Wind down refers to the gradual process of relaxing after a period of stress, activity, or work, often indicating the cessation of activities.

Examples in context

After a hectic day at the office, I like to wind down with a cup of herbal tea.
As the meeting wound down, the participants started gathering their belongings.
The festival began to wind down as the final acts performed on the stage.

📖 Definition

Wind down refers to the gradual process of relaxing after a period of stress, activity, or work, often indicating the cessation of activities.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The components of 'wind down' cannot be separated by other words.

Neutral

It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

The verb does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	wind down	After dinner, everyone tends to wind down with a good book.
Past Simple	wound down	After the event, the host wound down with a quiet walk.
Present Continuous	winding down	The team is winding down after completing the project.
Present Perfect	have wound down	They have wound down after a hectic week at work.

💡 When to Use

After a busy day

Use 'wind down' when referring to relaxing after a busy or stressful day, allowing oneself to rest.

Example: "She likes to wind down by taking a warm bath."

Ending a project

Use it to describe the process of finishing a project or activity and transitioning to relaxation.

Example: "The team began to wind down as the project reached completion."

Before bedtime

It's used to describe the process of calming oneself before sleep, ensuring a peaceful transition.

Example: "He usually reads to wind down before going to bed."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using 'wind down' with an object

❌ Wrong: She wound down the meeting.

✅ Correct: She wound down after the meeting.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'wind down' is intransitive.

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: She is wind down.

✅ Correct: She is winding down.

💡 Tip: Use 'winding down' for continuous actions.

Confusing with 'wind up'

❌ Wrong: He winds up after work.

✅ Correct: He winds down after work.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'wind up' means to finish or anger.

Practice

WIND DOWN - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

After a hectic day at the office, I like to wind down with a cup of herbal tea.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

As the meeting wound down, the participants started gathering their belongings.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

The festival began to wind down as the final acts performed on the stage.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

relax unwind

Antonyms

wind up

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"She prefers to ___ by taking a walk in the park."

wind up

wind down

wind over

wind in

"As days wind down, life teaches us the art of embracing calm amidst chaos, finding solace in fleeting moments of tranquility."

In Context

In the late 18th century, Joseph Banks, the renowned English naturalist and botanist, found himself aboard HMS Endeavour alongside Captain James Cook, as the ship approached its destination after a long voyage. As the journey was nearing its end, the entire crew began to wind down. The air of anticipation turned to relaxation as Banks, having meticulously documented numerous plant species, took time to reflect on the expedition’s successes. He had spent many grueling months cataloging new species from every shore they visited, often working through the night. Now, as the crew prepared to wind down their operations on board, Banks organized his findings, ensuring they were ready for presentation upon their return to England. As the expedition, which had been fraught with challenges and triumphs, started to wind down, Captain Cook himself instructed his men to enjoy this period of respite. The ship neared its final destination, bringing relief to a crew that had faced long months at sea. The sense of completion was palpable, and it marked an important transition from laborious vigilance to restful anticipation of their return. Finally, with the shores of England visible, both Banks and Cook shared a moment of gratitude, acknowledging the expedition was truly winding down, ending one of the most remarkable voyages of discovery in history.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Wind Down

What is the origin of wind down?

The term 'wind down' originated from the idea of a mechanism slowing as a spring or clock unwinds, representing a gradual reduction in activity.

Can wind down be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'wind down' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations to describe the process of relaxing after stress or activities.

What is the difference between wind down and relax?

While 'wind down' implies a gradual process of transitioning to calmness, 'relax' is more immediate. Both mean to reduce stress, but 'wind down' suggests a process unfolding over time.

Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

WIND DOWN - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Wind Down

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega