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

Fold Down: Definition, Usage & Examples

"In life's complexities, one must often fold down ambitions to discover simplicity, revealing the true essence of contentment within limitations."

📖 Definition

To fold down means to lower or collapse a part or section of an object or structure, typically for convenience, space saving, or protection.

Examples in context

He carefully folded down the rear seats to make room for the cargo.
Please fold down the crib side when putting the baby to sleep.
Experts recommend folding down the tent before a storm for safety.

📖 Definition

To fold down means to lower or collapse a part or section of an object or structure, typically for convenience, space saving, or protection.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

Can be split by the object ('fold the card down').

Neutral

Used in both casual and professional contexts.

Transitive

Yes

Requires a direct object to act upon.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	fold down	I fold down the map before hiking.
Past Simple	folded down	She folded down the seats for extra space.
Present Continuous	folding down	He is folding down the table for dinner.
Present Perfect	have folded down	We have folded down the chairs many times.

💡 When to Use

Stowing objects away

Use when describing the action of compacting objects, transforming them into smaller or flatter forms for easy storage.

Example: "He folds down the stroller to fit in the car trunk."

Adjusting furniture

When temporarily altering furniture pieces for accommodation or space efficiency, employ this phrasal verb effectively.

Example: "We need to fold down the bed into a couch to save space."

Preparing for travel

Use when making items travel-ready by collapsing them, often ensuring portability and efficient packing.

Example: "She folded down the bike handlebars for the train ride."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement

❌ Wrong: Fold it down the table.

✅ Correct: Fold down the table.

💡 Tip: Always state what is being folded immediately after 'fold down'.

Wrong tense usage

❌ Wrong: I folds down the bed.

✅ Correct: I fold down the bed.

💡 Tip: Ensure subject-verb agreement.

Unnecessary prepositions

❌ Wrong: Fold down on the paper.

✅ Correct: Fold down the paper.

💡 Tip: Avoid adding extra prepositions.

Practice

FOLD 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

He carefully folded down the rear seats to make room for the cargo.
Urban Compact Living
2
Listen to example

Please fold down the crib side when putting the baby to sleep.
Urban Compact Living
3
Listen to example

Experts recommend folding down the tent before a storm for safety.
Urban Compact Living

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

collapse lower

Antonyms

unfold

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Before storing the ironing board, remember to ___ it down."

unfold

fold down

raise

build

In Context

During World War II, the British government encouraged citizens to cultivate home gardens, famously termed 'victory gardens,' to supplement rations. Mary Smith, a determined gardener, took pride in her small suburban plot. Every evening, she would fold down her seed catalogue with precision, marking vibrant illustrations of vegetables she hoped to grow. As months passed, sunlight nourished her plants. Tomatoes and carrots increasingly thrived, thanks to her diligence. However, when stringent air raid protocols demanded total darkness, Mary had to fold down her ironing board to craft window coverings. This action protected her home while maintaining the garden’s future vitality. The boards shielded lights from enemy planes, ensuring her garden flourished in safety. By the war’s end, Mary boasted an impressive array of produce. Neighbors often knocked, requesting seeds or gardening tips. Her initiative became a symbol of resilience. She unfolded tales of times when she had to fold down aspirations for survival yet discovered rich rewards in humble sustainability. Long after the war, Mary’s victory garden lived on, a testament to how perseverance can transform contriving constraints into bounty. Mary’s legacy celebrated the innovations one could achieve when bravely folding down, preparing for rejuvenation, and laying groundwork for prosperous regrowth.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Fold Down

What is the origin of fold down?

The term 'fold down' originated with physical actions requiring parts of objects to be lowered or compacted. It became prevalent during the Industrial Revolution, when mechanical designs necessitated collapsible components for efficiency and design evolution.

Can fold down be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'fold down' can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is suitable for technical writing and everyday conversations, illustrating its versatility in describing compacting actions in various situations.

What is the difference between fold down and collapse?

'Fold down' refers specifically to manually lowering parts of an object for convenience. 'Collapse' can imply both accidental and deliberate actions of compacting an object, often used for structures or systematic reductions.

Browse All Tiny House 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

FOLD DOWN - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Fold Down

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega