1.
When people or events bring down a government or ruler, they cause the government or ruler to lose power.
They were threatening to bring down the government by withdrawing from the ruling coalition...
His challenge to Mrs Thatcher brought her down.
= topple
PHRASAL VERB : V P n (not pron) , V n P
2.
If someone or something brings down a person or aeroplane, they cause them to fall, usually by shooting them.
Military historians may never know what brought down the jet.
PHRASAL VERB : V P n (not pron) , also V n P