confidence down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confidence down" is not standard in written English and may be unclear in meaning.
It could be used in contexts where one is describing a decrease in confidence, but it is not a commonly accepted expression. Example: "After receiving the negative feedback, I felt my confidence down significantly."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

His confidence, down after going winless in his first 10 starts, soared.

The New York Times - Sports

"And many's the night she rang my doorbell at midnight and said they had broke her confidence down," Nell said.

The New Yorker

In the case of governments (in which 40% of respondents expressed confidence, down from 45% in 2010), this follows several years in which public trust has risen.

The Economist

The only way to get his confidence down is to get every shot into the court and let him make mistakes".

The New Yorker

"I let her dictate around the court and I didn't really play my game...but I am not going to let it get my confidence down".

The Guardian - Sport

CHARTS: Market Up, Confidence Down: The Standard & Poor's 500 rose 66.6 percent over the 52 weeks through March 5 -- the largest 52-week gain for the index since the Great Depression.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Consumer confidence is down.

The New York Times

Consumer confidence is down, again.

The New York Times

People are not paying top dollar; consumer confidence is down.

The New York Times

That confidence seeped down from the opening tee at 11.36am.

The Guardian - Sport

When their own confidence is down, of course, they are in trouble.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a decline in confidence, consider using more descriptive verbs and nouns (e.g., "plummeting confidence", "waning confidence") for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "down" as a catch-all term for negative emotional states. While technically correct, repeatedly using "down" can make your writing sound simplistic. Vary your vocabulary to express nuances in feeling and intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confidence down" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, often acting as a noun modifier or part of a larger predicate. While grammatically acceptable, it is not the most common or elegant way to express a decrease in confidence. As Ludwig AI points out, it may be clearer and more impactful to use alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "confidence down" is used to describe a decrease in confidence, most commonly in news and media contexts. While understandable, it's not the most polished or impactful way to express this idea. As Ludwig AI reports, more descriptive and specific alternatives like "waning confidence", "declining confidence", or "reduction in confidence" often provide greater clarity and stylistic elegance. While acceptable in informal settings, consider using these alternatives in more formal or professional contexts to enhance your writing's impact and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waning confidence

Implies a gradual decrease in confidence over time.

declining confidence

Similar to waning confidence, but can also imply a sudden drop.

reduced confidence

More direct and emphasizes the state of having less confidence.

erosion of confidence

Suggests confidence is being gradually destroyed or worn away.

loss of confidence

Indicates a complete or significant disappearance of confidence.

sagging confidence

Uses a visual metaphor to suggest a weakening of confidence.

plummeting confidence

Indicates a rapid and significant drop in confidence.

faltering confidence

Suggests that confidence is unsteady or unreliable.

shaken confidence

Implies that confidence has been disturbed or weakened by something.

diminished confidence

Focuses on the aspect of lessening or reducing in confidence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "confidence down" to sound more professional?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "waning confidence", "declining confidence", or "reduced confidence". These options provide a more sophisticated way to express a decrease in confidence.

Is it grammatically correct to say "confidence down"?

While understandable, "confidence down" is not the most grammatically polished phrase. It's better to use expressions like "confidence is down" or more descriptive alternatives such as "waning confidence" for clarity and style.

What's the difference between "confidence down" and "low confidence"?

"Confidence down" implies a change or decrease in confidence over time, whereas "low confidence" describes a general state of having little confidence. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the change or the state.

In what situations would it be appropriate to use "confidence down"?

You might use "confidence down" in informal settings or when aiming for brevity. However, in formal writing or professional communication, consider stronger, more descriptive alternatives such as "reduced confidence", "declining confidence", or "a decrease in confidence".