Scribble down

USAGE SUMMARY

"scribble down" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to quickly writing something, often in a careless or hasty manner. Example: "I need to scribble down my thoughts before I forget them." Alternative expressions include "jot down" and "write down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"Old trees," I scribble down.

The New York Times - Magazine

Do you scribble down things you overhear?

The Guardian - Books

As a reporter began to scribble down the details, he laughed.

The New York Times

People are rediscovering what it is like to scribble down a "When you were out" slip.

The Washington Post

Most of the travel I do is for my writing; I scribble down sentences as I go.

Independent

I thought this exchange droll enough to scribble down, though reproduced here it doesn't sound all that.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

These I scribbled down as they happened.

The New York Times - Books

I was scribbling down everything he said.

The Guardian

"I scribbled down his name and had trouble tracking him down at his tiny atelier".

The New York Times

Somewhere off camera, Kesha was probably scribbling down a shopping list: Manic Panic, gluteal implants.

The New York Times - Arts

At that point, he goes into an excitable motor state, pacing or scribbling down ideas.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase works effectively in narrative writing to show a character's state of mind, such as being hurried, inspired or distracted.

Common error

Do not use "scribble down" in formal academic abstracts or legal documents where precision and formality are required; opt for "record" or "document" instead. Also, avoid redundant phrasing like 'scribble down a quick note' as the verb already implies speed and brevity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scribble down" functions as a transitive phrasal verb. It combines the base verb 'scribble' (to write hurriedly) with the particle 'down' to indicate the recording of information on a surface. According to Ludwig examples, it is frequently used to describe the act of capturing fleeting thoughts, notes or instructions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Creative Writing

15%

Wiki & General Advice

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal Business

3%

Legal

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "scribble down" is a versatile and widely used expression in the English language, particularly within journalistic and narrative contexts. Ludwig AI shows over 36 exact matches from high-authority sources, confirming its status as a correct and standard phrase. It effectively conveys a sense of speed and casualness that more formal verbs like 'record' lack. While it is perfectly acceptable in most writing, authors should be mindful of its informal undertones and consider using jot down for slightly more professional scenarios or scrawl down for truly messy handwriting. Overall, it remains an essential tool for adding descriptive texture to the act of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jot down

Implies a quick but slightly more organized or intentional note than a scribble

scrawl down

Suggests writing that is even messier or more illegible than scribbling

scratch down

Emphasizes the hurried and rough nature of the writing

note down

A more neutral and slightly more formal version of the phrase

write down

The most generic and neutral alternative, lacking the connotation of speed

take down

Commonly used for recording dictation, lectures or spoken information

dash off

Focuses on the extreme speed of finishing a short piece of writing

put down

A simple and slightly more informal way to say record on paper

record

Significantly more formal and suggests a permanent or official entry

log

Implies a systematic or chronological recording process

FAQs

What can I say instead of "scribble down"?

You can use alternatives like "jot down", "note down" or "scrawl down" depending on how messy or formal you want the writing to sound.

Is "scribble down" formal enough for a business email?

It is generally considered informal or neutral. In a professional context, it is better to use "note down" or simply "write down" to maintain a polished tone.

What is the difference between "scribble down" and "scrawl down"?

While both imply speed, "scrawl down" usually suggests a higher degree of messiness or illegibility compared to "scribble down".

How do you use "scribble down" in a sentence?

A typical example would be: 'He had to quickly scribble down the phone number on a napkin before the caller hung up.' This highlights the hurried nature of the action.