come down to something—
1. be reduced to its real meaning:
- The whole matter comes down to a power struggle between the trade union and the directors.
2. be reduced to a humble position:
- He finally came down to selling matches on street corners.
3. get down to smth.; examine smth.:
- When we come down to details, the plan seems possible.
4. be reduced to a lower level:
- I don’t think we will ever see prices come down to where they were two or three years ago.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase come down on something—criticize or attack smth.:
- The critics came down much too hard on the performance.
go down to something—
1. = come down to something 4:
- The prices should go down to something more reasonable if they expect people to buy.
2. extend in time or space; reach as far as:
- This book is no use to me; it only goes down to the General Election of 1951.