downfall /ˈdaunfɔ:l/ n. c 1. (雨雪等突然或大量的)降下:a heavy downfall of snow 下大雪 A downfall is expected, take your umbrella please. 估计要下雨,请把雨伞带上。2. 衰落;垮台:the downfall of an empire 一个帝国的衰落;bring about the dictator’s downfall使独裁者跨台

 

downgrade /ˌdaun ˈɡreid / I. n. c](路等的)下坡:be on the downgrade  每况愈下 ‖II. adj. 下坡的,倾斜的:He is walking quickly on the downgrade road. 他正在下坡的路上快速地行走着。‖III. vt. 降低(商品等)的等级;降低(谈判等)的级别;降低(工人或工种)的等级和工资;贬低,不重视:My job’s been downgraded to that of ordinary editor. 我的工作降为一般编辑。