Cool MateRemove vs Take them down
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Remove
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Take them down
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Remove
| Remove | Take them down | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmuːv/","/rɪˈmuːvz/","/rɪˈmuːvd/","/rɪˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmuːv/","/rɪˈmuːvz/","/rɪˈmuːvd/","/rɪˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //teɪk ðɛm daʊn//🇺🇸 //teɪk ðɛm daʊn// |
| Meaning | To take something away or get rid of it. | To remove or defeat someone or something. |
| Example | Please remove the stain from the carpet. | The police were instructed to take them down if they resisted arrest. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | altogether, completely, entirely, try to, be possible to, be difficult to, for, from, with, altogether, completely, entirely, try to, be possible to, be difficult to, for, from, with | take down a picture, take down an enemy, take down a website, take them down together, take down a rival |
| Antonyms | add, include | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'remove' with 'erase' — 'erase' is often used for writing or drawings., Using 'remove' without a clear object — remember to specify what is being removed., Incorrectly using 'removal' as a verb. | Confusing with 'take down' when it means to dismantle or remove items., Using in situations where it implies aggression without context., Forgetting to match the object properly, e.g., 'take him down' vs. 'take them down'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'remove' in neutral contexts, such as formal writing or conversations. It is less common in informal speech where simpler words like 'take away' might be preferred. | Commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts. Be cautious using in formal situations. Suitable for everyday conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Remove vs Take them down
What's the difference between Remove and Take them down?
Remove: To take something away or get rid of it. Take them down: To remove or defeat someone or something.
Which is more common: Remove and Take them down?
Remove is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Remove: Please remove the stain from the carpet. Take them down: The police were instructed to take them down if they resisted arrest.
Can I use Remove and Take them down interchangeably?
Not always. Remove and Take them 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.