as lean as possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as lean as possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efficiency, minimalism, or reducing waste in various contexts, such as business, cooking, or design. Example: "In our project, we aim to keep the budget as lean as possible to maximize our resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Eldan tries to keep the operation as lean as possible.

University of California, Berkeley

Keep your caloric consumption down and stay as lean as possible.

Harvard University

"We're always looking to save money where we can and keep our budget as lean as possible," she said.

The New York Times

Certainly, this has an effect on financial aspects with the objective to design the organisational process as lean as possible.

Procedia CIRP

The story has been so boiled down that it's like a testosterone bouillon cube -- no doubt because of some tinkering to make it as lean as possible.

The New York Times

However, the philosophy of matching supply to demand and keeping operations as lean as possible made the 11 per cent fall in the market survivable.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

These women train specifically for the purpose of building maximum muscle and getting as lean as humanly possible... at all costs.

Huffington Post

Navigating this portion of an economic cycle requires seasoned management, Creatura said, and strong operators will be rewarded more than the more visionary or innovative management teams that are not used to running a company as efficiently and lean as possible.

Forbes

Select a direction that is as close to the tree's natural lean as possible, while avoiding getting the tree stuck in the branches of another tree.

WikiHow

He said officials had set conservative initial fund-raising goals and would operate "as lean and efficient as possible".

The New York Times

"In any criminal case, whether it's an accounting fraud case or a bank robbery case, you want to keep your presentation as lean and straightforward as possible," Ms. Caldwell said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for efficiency in a project or budget, use "as lean as possible" to emphasize minimizing waste and maximizing resources without sacrificing essential elements.

Common error

Avoid pursuing "as lean as possible" to the point of compromising quality or essential functionality. Ensure necessary resources and processes are adequately supported.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as lean as possible" functions as an intensifier modifying a verb or noun. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates it describes efforts to minimize resources or costs, aiming for maximum efficiency or output.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as lean as possible" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the process of minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency. Ludwig AI's analysis demonstrates its widespread use across diverse fields, including news, science, business, and academia. While it's suitable for a range of contexts, be cautious of over-optimization, ensuring that essential resources and functionality are not compromised in the pursuit of leanness. Alternatives like "as efficient as feasible" or "as streamlined as practical" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Always consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as efficient as feasible

Emphasizes practicality and achievability in maximizing efficiency.

as streamlined as practical

Focuses on optimizing processes to be smooth and effective.

as minimalistic as achievable

Highlights simplicity and essential elements within realistic constraints.

as optimized as viable

Stresses the best possible configuration given the limitations.

as economical as realistic

Puts emphasis on cost-effectiveness and sensible budgeting.

as resourceful as manageable

Highlights innovative use of available means with a practical focus.

as spare as necessary

Stresses avoiding excess and focusing on only the essentials.

as thrifty as attainable

Focuses on careful spending and realistic budgeting.

as trim as reasonable

Implies removing unnecessary components while maintaining functionality.

as economic as doable

Stresses the financial aspect and what can be realistically accomplished.

FAQs

How can I use "as lean as possible" in a sentence?

You can use "as lean as possible" to describe efforts to minimize waste or maximize efficiency. For example, "We are trying to keep our operating budget "as lean as possible"."

What are some alternatives to "as lean as possible"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "as efficient as feasible", "as streamlined as practical", or "as minimalistic as achievable".

When is it appropriate to use "as lean as possible"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize reducing unnecessary expenses or resources to achieve maximum efficiency or effectiveness. It is commonly used in business, project management, and personal finance contexts.

How does "as lean as possible" compare to "as efficient as possible"?

"As lean as possible" emphasizes reducing waste and unnecessary resources, while "as efficient as possible" focuses on maximizing output with the resources available. While related, "as lean as possible" has a stronger connotation of minimalism and cost-saving.