wind down1
1(Of a mechanism, especially one operated by clockwork) gradually lose power.The quality is fine for TV broadcast and animation motors give us more accuracy from one frame to the next, because the shutter speed alters slightly as the spring winds down in the clockwork motor....
- Turbine generators here wind down, the emergency system to protect the nuclear reactors from overload kicks in, and the propeller shaft stops.
- The left engine normally wound down and wind-milled, while continuing to power the left side hydraulics.
1.1 informal (Of a person) relax after stress or excitement: I sank into a hot bath in order to wind down...
- Palm Beach is a place to relax, wind down and live elegantly, and if you want more, remember, Miami Beach is just a short gorgeous, scenic drive down the highway.
- Tired runners and walkers can relax and wind down at the celebration where they can enjoy music, entertainment and light refreshments.
- So, now that I've taken a cool shower, I intend to relax and wind down.
Synonyms
relax, unwind, calm down, cool down/off, ease up/off, take it easy, rest, put one's feet up
informal de-stress, let it all hang out, unbutton
North American informal hang loose, stay loose, chill out, chill, kick back
1.2 (also wind something down) Draw or bring gradually to a close: business began to wind down as people awaited the new regime...
- If a buyer cannot be found, the company will be wound down and closed.
- Workers at the centre at the Cork Airport Business Park were told that the plant would be wound down over the next three months.
- The weaker he became, the more urgently he focused on winding the business down.
Synonyms
draw to a close, come to an end, tail off, taper off, diminish, lessen, dwindle, decline;
slacken off, slack off, slow down
See parent entry: wind
wind-down2
/ˈwʌɪnddaʊn
/noun [in singular]
A gradual lessening of activity, intensity, or scale as something comes to an end: the wind-down of space exploration...
- But if I wasn't doing it, I'd be on the wind-down to Christmas, so it's nice to get a piece of work out of it.
- However, the final minute is just a wind-down of the main elements, for mixing purposes, so you've not missed anything too critical.
- Again the Government changed tack, introducing a phased wind-down of the scheme for an additional six months.