1.
When people or events ~ a government or ruler, they cause the government or ruler to lose power.
They were threatening to ~ 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