Slow down turbo vs Slow it down

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Slow down turbo

Informal Top 5,000 (fairly common)

Slow it down

Top 1,000 (very common)

Most formal: Slow it down Most common: Slow it down

	Slow down turbo	Slow it down
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //sləʊ daʊn ˈtɜːbəʊ// 🇺🇸 //sloʊ daʊn ˈtɜrboʊ//	🇬🇧 //sləʊ ɪt daʊn// 🇺🇸 //sloʊ ɪt daʊn//
Meaning	A phrase to tell someone to be less fast or excited.	Make something go slower.
Example	You win the race, but you need to slow down turbo next time!	Can you please slow it down? I can't keep up.
Register	Informal	Neutral
How common	Top 5,000 (fairly common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
Collocations	slow down turbo, slow down excitement, slow down the pace	slow it down for clarity, slow it down when speaking, slow it down in traffic
Common mistakes	Overusing in serious conversations., Mispronouncing 'turbo' as 'turbine'.	Using it in a formal situation when a more specific term is better., Incorrectly using 'slow it down' with inanimate objects that cannot be slowed., Confusing with 'take it easy', which has a different meaning.
Usage notes	Used in casual conversations. It's often playful or sarcastic, reminding someone to take it easy. Not suitable for formal situations.	Used in both casual and professional contexts. Appropriate when requesting a reduction in pace, often in discussions or presentations.

See it in real clips

Slow down, turbo!

Slow down turbo

Slow it down some.

Breaking Bad › S1 E7

What part of "slow it down" did you not understand?

Slow it down some.

Breaking Bad › S1 E7

What part of "slow it down" did you not understand?

Slow it down

Frequently asked questions: Slow down turbo vs Slow it down

What's the difference between Slow down turbo and Slow it down?

Slow down turbo: A phrase to tell someone to be less fast or excited. Slow it down: Make something go slower.

Which is more formal: Slow down turbo and Slow it down?

Slow it down is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Slow down turbo and Slow it down?

Slow it down is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Slow down turbo: You win the race, but you need to slow down turbo next time! Slow it down: Can you please slow it down? I can't keep up.

Can I use Slow down turbo and Slow it down interchangeably?

Not always. Slow down turbo and Slow it down are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.