Cool MateSlow down vs Steady on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Slow down
Top 2,000 (common)
Steady on
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Slow downMost common: Slow down
| Slow down | Steady on | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //sləʊ daʊn//🇺🇸 //sloʊ daʊn// | 🇬🇧 //ˈstɛdi ɒn//🇺🇸 //ˈstɛdi ɑn// |
| Meaning | To reduce speed or to take things easier. | Calm down or slow down. |
| Example | Please slow down when driving through the school zone. | Hey, steady on, we don’t want to rush into anything! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | slow down a bit, slow down traffic, slow down the pace, slow down for safety | steady on the road, steady on your feet, steady on the gas |
| Common mistakes | Using 'slow down' in a literal sense only, ignoring its figurative uses., Confusing with 'slowly' which is an adverb., Incorrectly using 'slow down' without an object when it's needed for clarity. | 'Steady' used alone without 'on' is incorrect., Confusing 'steady on' with 'steady up', which isn't common. |
| Usage notes | Use 'slow down' when advising someone to reduce their pace. Can be informal in day-to-day conversation, but is still suitable in general contexts. Avoid using it in very formal writing. | Use 'steady on' to tell someone to be careful or to take their time, often in a friendly way. It may sound rude in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Slow down vs Steady on
What's the difference between Slow down and Steady on?
Slow down: To reduce speed or to take things easier. Steady on: Calm down or slow down.
Which is more formal: Slow down and Steady on?
Slow down is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Slow down and Steady on?
Slow down is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Slow down: Please slow down when driving through the school zone. Steady on: Hey, steady on, we don’t want to rush into anything!
Can I use Slow down and Steady on interchangeably?
Not always. Slow down and Steady on 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.