barreling down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barreling down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something moving quickly and forcefully towards a destination or target, often with a sense of urgency or danger. Example: "The storm was barreling down the coast, prompting residents to evacuate immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He came barreling down this little road.

The New York Times

Is this a road we really want to continue barreling down?

The New York Times

The throw, the catch, the tag on a 290-pound guy barreling down on you.

The New York Times - Sports

Call ahead to see if anyone is barreling down the K120 Nordic ski jump.

The New York Times - Travel

With Hurricane Irma barreling down on Florida, more such fights seem likely.

The Washington Post

"I looked in my passenger's side mirror and I saw this guy barreling down on me.

The New York Times

They all won Olympic gold medals by barreling down a runway and taking a flying leap into the sand pit.

The New York Times - Sports

How did store management not see dangerous numbers of customers barreling down on the store in such an unsafe manner?

The New York Times

Baylor capitalized, barreling down low for consecutive layups by Quincy Acy and Perry Jones III in the following 43 seconds to push its lead to 51-44.

The New York Times - Sports

The victim was Paul F. It is 3 32 a.m., and Paul F. is barreling down a dark Maryland road when he jams on the brakes and swears.

The New York Times - Magazine

As Oppenheimer's Hokanson puts it, "They're out ahead of the tsunami those who aren't up with Xerox will be crushed when the thing comes barreling down".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barreling down" to create a vivid image of something moving quickly and forcefully. It's particularly effective when describing events with a sense of urgency or impending impact.

Common error

While "barreling down" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound informal or hyperbolic in formal or professional writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "proceeding rapidly" or "advancing quickly" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barreling down" functions primarily as a compound verb, describing the action of moving rapidly and forcefully in a specific direction. Ludwig examples showcase this in varied contexts, from physical movement to impending deadlines.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

General

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barreling down" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe rapid and forceful movement. As indicated by Ludwig, it's most frequently used in News & Media and Sports contexts, carrying a neutral to slightly informal tone. While versatile, writers should consider the context and choose more formal alternatives for professional or scientific writing. The phrase effectively conveys urgency and impending impact, making it a vivid and descriptive choice in appropriate settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rushing headlong

Emphasizes the speed and lack of hesitation in the movement.

speeding towards

Focuses on the velocity of movement in a specific direction.

charging forward

Highlights the aggressive and determined nature of the movement.

hurtling down

Implies a rapid and uncontrolled descent.

racing along

Suggests a fast-paced and competitive movement.

tearing along

Conveys a sense of urgency and forcefulness in the movement.

shooting ahead

Emphasizes a sudden and rapid burst of speed.

storming onward

Indicates a powerful and unstoppable progression.

careening down

Suggests a swerving, uncontrolled, yet rapid descent.

plunging downwards

Specifically indicates a quick and forceful movement in a downward direction.

FAQs

How can I use "barreling down" in a sentence?

"Barreling down" describes something moving quickly and forcefully. For example, "The car was barreling down the highway" or "The deadline is barreling down on us".

What are some alternatives to "barreling down"?

Alternatives include "rushing headlong", "speeding towards", or "charging forward" depending on the specific context.

Is "barreling down" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "barreling down" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "advancing rapidly" or "progressing quickly".

What does it mean when something is described as "barreling down"?

It means that something is moving quickly, forcefully, and often with a sense of being out of control or unstoppable.