climb down

USAGE SUMMARY

"climb down" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe descending from a higher point or level—as opposed to "climb up," which is used to describe ascending. For example, "He had to climb down the ladder to retrieve his hat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Xenophon had to climb down.

The Guardian

Brian would sense that and climb down.

The Guardian

Nigel waved a hand, telling me to climb down.

The New York Times - Magazine

It took us an hour to climb down the stairs.

The Guardian

Do not climb down any of the sandy slopes.

The Guardian - Travel

Some people clung to scaffolding; some were able to climb down.

The New York Times

If she is truly desperate she could probably manage to climb down one of these.

The New York Times - Magazine

The next morning, they used some fishing rope to climb down.

The New York Times

Some of the team climb down into the cave to search for clues.

Independent

Predators and marauding ants could still climb down the shaft to attack her.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Does the British Foreign Office have a climb-down strategy?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a change of opinion, use "climb down" to show a deliberate backing away from a previous stance, as opposed to a simple change of mind.

Common error

Avoid using "climb down" when a simpler term like "descend" or "lower" suffices for physical movement. "Climb down" is best reserved for situations where the act of climbing is involved, or when figuratively referring to retracting a statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "climb down" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of descending, either literally by climbing, or figuratively by retreating from a position or argument. Ludwig examples illustrate both usages.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "climb down" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe both physical descent and figurative retreat. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's commonly found in news, wiki articles and general communication. While generally neutral, it can lean towards informal in certain contexts, and more formal options like "descend" may be preferable in academic or scientific writing. When writing, reserve "climb down" for scenarios involving climbing or retracting an opinion to make your writing more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

climb downwards

Adds emphasis on the act of climbing, but specifies the direction.

come down

A more general way to express moving downwards.

descend

This is a more formal and general term for moving downwards.

alight

Specifically refers to getting down from something, like a vehicle or a perch.

back down

Implies retreating from a position or argument, rather than a physical descent.

backpedal

Specifically refers to retracting or modifying a previous statement or position.

retreat

Suggests withdrawing from a confrontation or challenge.

step down

Suggests resigning or leaving a position of authority.

yield

Implies conceding or giving way to another's position.

scale down

Indicates reducing the size or scope of something.

FAQs

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

"Climb down" can be used to describe physical descent, like "He had to "climb down" the ladder", or a figurative retreat from a position, such as "The politician had to "climb down" from his initial demands".

What's the difference between "climb down" and "descend"?

"Descend" is a more formal and general term for moving downward. "Climb down" specifically implies using one's hands and feet to move down, or figuratively, to back away from a previously held position.

What can I say instead of "climb down" when referring to someone changing their opinion?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "back down", "retreat", or "backpedal" to indicate someone changing their opinion.

Is "climb down" formal or informal?

"Climb down" is generally considered a neutral to informal expression. For more formal contexts, "descend" might be more appropriate when referring to physical movement.