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wind down

wind down

Date: Jan 09 2014

Themes: Celebrity, Holidays, Sports, Work

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

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“I really give my all while I’m working, I make a lot of sacrifices. But I also need time to wind down. And to do things in my time off, things I’d like to do now, while I can.”

Sebastian Vettel, Formula 1 world champion race car driver, talking about what’s important to him when making contract agreements (Reader’s Digest)

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

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relax

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

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Before digital clocks and alarms were invented, people used an older object to tell time: a wind-up clock. This kind of clock required a person to wind up a part inside the clock, which would then start ticking. As the clock continued ticking, it would slowly wind down. Eventually, the ticking would stop, and someone would have to wind up the clock again in order for it to work.

Likewise, the expression wind down means something is stopping or has already stopped, so now you can relax. Maybe it’s been a busy week, so now it’s time to stop, to wind down by watching TV. Maybe a big project is about finished, so now you can wind down and be free from all the pressure. University students often take a few days to wind down after final exams.

For professional athletes and celebrities, like Sebasatian Vettel, time to wind down means time that is not spent doing what they normally do. Like a clock that has stopped ticking, Sebastian needs a chance to stop working, time when he is out of the spotlight and can rest. Afterwards, he’ll be ready to start working again.

How do you wind down? How often should people take a break from their normal activities?

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

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“I’m going to read for a while to wind down before bed.”

“Things have been so busy at work lately. I really need to take a day off to wind down.”

“I listen to jazz to wind down. It quiets my mind.”

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

a2020 to relax.
by a2020
imand relax after doing work hard.
by imand
kukuka to slow down, relax, find time for yourself
by kukuka
 julito To relax
by julito
cubi1604 Relax, chill out
by cubi1604

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Comments

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AryelLanes

AryelLanes

Brazil

Oh! Winding down is one of the best things EVER! There’s nothing better than doing it after a hard day of work and stress. 


I’m not so workaholic… I just want to get my things done by the due date. However, if I spend too much time on it, I start to get stressed, sad or whatever! It’s not good for our health to bottle these things up… If we do, we can end up blowing up and taking it out on those who don’t deserve this… 


That’s why I never give up my days off… o/

11:48 AM Jan 13 2014 |

ahmet55

ahmet55

Germany

As me, to wind down I prefer to MEET UP with my friends who make me laugh a lot, listening to light & classic music, hanging out at home, going on a trip, watchig wonderful movies and things like these. 


practically, I think at the end of spending tough times, after burning out of career, by the end fulfilling some stressful activities, completing some special and extremely hard homework as well as after accomplishing an harsh examination I wanna to wind down for at least 2 days. 


Actually, at the end of this month my industrial project will finish and I really need to wind up for a while but unfortunately I had to do another one. It’s just cruel. 

08:29 PM Jan 12 2014 |

1 person likes this

lira_

lira_

Russian Federation

Oh, to wind down is exactly what I need now.. I’m too tired of school, homework and preparing for the exams :c


To wind down I usually listen to indie music, read an interesting book or just surf the internet.

07:46 AM Jan 12 2014 |

1 person likes this

Eric_

Eric_

China

To wind down myself,I would rather stay alone. Go for a walk, do some exercise, enjoy the sunshie, breath the fresh air, listen to the music, chat with my friends, hang out with others…..........................:DD


We do need to take a good rest after work.\o/

02:07 AM Jan 10 2014 |

Seiyf_khawas

Turkey

I think, Everybody needs to wind down after busy,hard,difficult time..not only our bodies but also our souls..coz in today,there are alot of stress at works,in relations and another fields of life..All needs resting..

11:26 PM Jan 09 2014 |

ZizooAden

ZizooAden

Yemen

Any one want chat on Skype

09:25 PM Jan 09 2014 |

1 person likes this

lina77

Saudi Arabia

one of my favorite things i like to do to wind down is having massage.

08:08 PM Jan 09 2014 |

1 person likes this

 julito

julito

Argentina

 Some people are incurable workaholics , so addicted are  to work, but,as a whole, the rule is that   people like and needs winding down  .There are plenty of outdoor and indoor activities suitable for each necessity .Personally, i like surfing the net, chatting with my friends ,also doing puzzles , this last past time  really takes my mind  off the work that lies ahead . I have been in Brazil, i noticed that after work about 5 pm , friends meet up  at sidewalk cafes and drink beer  and eat tidbits  all these in a  happy mood.    

03:57 PM Jan 09 2014 |

jef_maiko

jef_maiko

Brazil

In he end of the year is a good time to wind down. So you can recharge your mind and body….....

03:02 PM Jan 09 2014 |

fabsir

fabsir

Brazil

Work can get pretty hectic sometimes so when I get home from a very busy day I usually take a shower, change into comfotable clothes, sit down on my couch and watch TV or listen to music or read something I´m interested in on the internet. Fortunately winding down isn´t that hard for me.

02:40 PM Jan 09 2014 |

sanadamaru

sanadamaru

Japan

I’ve been so tied up lately.I need to wind down. But unfortunately many task always come and disturb my day off.

01:43 PM Jan 09 2014 |

1 person likes this

clutchmann

clutchmann

Hungary

If you are an office worker, you can do some physical activity (sports, manual work etc.) for wind you down.


If you are a physical worker, it is better to do some intellectual activity like reading, painting, listening music etc. for your relax. 

11:14 AM Jan 09 2014 |

maoukil

Germany

Each evening, I try to wind down. How I do it? After my toughter went to bed and my wife is busy with his things, I couch and show TV or/and tacke my Ipad and surf a little bit. 

08:42 AM Jan 09 2014 |

1 person likes this

S&W

S&W

China

I often listening music and reading novels as a wind down after work,It’s would be awesome come across the Golden week,i can go hiking,climbing mountain,fresh air is the best.

07:30 AM Jan 09 2014 |

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