come down to

If something does this, one main thing decides it or explains it.

• It all comes down to money.
• The decision came down to who had more experience.
• Does it really come down to choosing the cheapest option?

How to use it: come down to something (The choice comes down to cost.); come down to whether + clause (It comes down to whether you trust her.); come down to doing something (Success comes down to practising every day.)

Similar words: depend on, boil down to

Common phrases: come down to money, come down to something

To reach a lower place, amount, or level.

• The price has come down to ten pounds.
• She came down to the kitchen for breakfast.
• Wait until the temperature comes down to a safe level.

How to use it: come down to + level or place (The temperature came down to twenty degrees.)

Similar words: drop to, fall to

Opposites: rise to

Common phrases: come down to earth, come down to something