meaning of 'Pipe down'

[Duron]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #293 "English Slang Idioms (15)", question 1

He got mad at his parents after they told him to ......... down while they watch TV.

(a) shut
(b) close
(c) pipe
(d) kneel

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #293 "English Slang Idioms (15)", answer 1

He got mad at his parents after they told him to pipe down while they watch TV.

Correct answer: (c) pipe
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I don't undertand the meaning pipe?

Duron

[Alan]

Hi,

'Pipe down' is in origin a musical expression since a pipe is something you blow down rather like a flute. If you pipe down, you play more quietly. If you tell someone to pipe down, it means you are asking them to make less noise.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Too Many Words