subs. (popular).—A fall, whether of pride or worldly prospects; an abandonment of something for something else of less value or moment.

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  Verb.—[Used either independently or in combination: e.g., TO COME DOWN; TO COME DOWN HANDSOME, or TO COME DOWN WITH THE DUST, DUES, DIBS, READY, OOF, SHINERS, BLUNT, NEEDFUL, etc.] (common).—1.  To pay, i.e., to ‘part’; or to lay down (as in payment); to ‘fork out.’ For synonyms, see SHELL OUT.

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  1702.  STEELE, The Funeral; or, Grief à-la-Mode, Act ii., Sc. 1. I must do according to my orders … except you ’ll COME DOWN a little deeper than you talk of; you don’t consider the charges I ’ve been at already.

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  1727.  GAY, The Beggar’s Opera, Act iii., Sc. 1. Lock. Did he tip handsomely?—How much did he COME DOWN with?

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  1842.  Punch, vol. iii., p. 136.

        ‘Bolt!’ she falter’d, ‘from the gov’nor?
  Oh, my Colin, that won’t pay;
He will ne’er COME DOWN, my love, nor
  Help us, if we run away.’

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  1849.  THACKERAY, Pendennis, ch. lxix. My uncle augurs everything from the Begum’s generosity, and says that she will COME DOWN very handsomely.

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  1889.  BARRÈRE and LELAND, A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant (quoted in). Do you keep the gentleman in discourse while I speak to the prisoner, and see how he can COME DOWN.

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  2.  (trade).—To abate prices.

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