curb down

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence.
The phrase "curb down" is not considered to be part of standard English, and it is not commonly used in written English. If you are writing informal English, you might be able to use "curb down" in the sense of "reduce." For example, "I need to curb down my spending if I want to save money."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He'd always had to straighten his posture in Charlotte's presence, her height and perfect carriage a kind of warning or rebuke to him, and now he found himself wishing that she'd step off the curb, down to his level.

The New Yorker

COMMON SPACES: The front door is set back about 15 feet from the curb, down a narrow path.

The New York Times

Finally, after the children's monitors joined them, the bus pulled away from the curb, down a dark tunnel and into the long-awaited sunlight.

The New York Times

Depending on the turn -- and they're all different, like snowflakes and just as chilling -- you make a right and then make a U-turn when you can, or you fly across oncoming lanes and into a parking lot or you hop on the sidewalk and jump a curb down the line.

The New York Times

Oh, the thing that pains me the most is seeing water just careening down the sidewalk, or in the curb down the gutter to the storm drains.

Los Angeles Times

Another method through which lycopene can curb down the ROS is hydrogen abstraction (allylic H substration) leading to formation of lycopene radical [ 36- 38].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

However, the growing trend in the consumption of introduced/imported foods should be curbed down by appropriate policies that would favor availability and accessibility of traditional foods to the poor.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Administration of the PDE-inhibitors still had anti-inflammatory properties after LPS inhalation and the topical administration of PDE4-inhibitors was also effective in curbing down PMN migration, both highlighting the clinical potential of these compounds.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

He was thrown onto a grassy curb, face down from the waist up, his left leg tilting grotesquely upward.

The New York Times - Sports

The racket made by buyers and sellers, often shouting orders to colleagues hanging out of windows, brought repeated attempts to have the Curb shut down.

The New York Times

I parked into the curb, rolled down the window, and sat there and had a smoke, and pretty soon a kid came along.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "curb down", opt for more standard alternatives like "reduce", "limit", or "control" for clearer communication. These words are more widely accepted and understood in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying on less common or grammatically questionable phrasal verbs like "curb down". While creative language can be engaging, prioritize clarity and precision by choosing established vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "curb down" functions primarily as a phrasal verb aiming to express the action of reducing or controlling something. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's not considered standard English. The examples show attempts to use it in contexts where 'reduce' or 'limit' would be more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "curb down" is found in some writing, Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard English. It's intended to convey a meaning similar to 'reduce' or 'control', but its infrequent and grammatically questionable nature makes it a less desirable choice. Opting for more established alternatives like "reduce", "limit", or "control" ensures clearer and more effective communication in both formal and informal settings. The phrase appears primarily in News & Media and Science contexts, even though its use is not considered grammatically correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce

A more standard and concise way to express decreasing something.

decrease

Similar to "reduce", but can imply a more gradual lessening.

limit

Focuses on setting a boundary or maximum, which indirectly reduces.

control

Emphasizes regulation or management to keep something in check.

restrain

Implies holding something back, preventing it from increasing.

hold back

Similar to "restrain", but more informal.

suppress

Suggests actively preventing something from developing or being expressed.

keep in check

A longer phrase emphasizing maintaining control to prevent increase.

bring down

Focuses on lowering a specific value or quantity.

put a stop to

Implies completely halting or ending something.

FAQs

Is "curb down" grammatically correct?

The phrase "curb down" is not considered standard English. While it appears in some contexts, it's generally better to use alternatives like "reduce" or "limit".

What does "curb down" mean?

The intended meaning of "curb down" is similar to "reduce" or "control". However, it's not a standard phrase, so using more common alternatives is advisable.

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

While you might encounter "curb down" in some informal writing, it's safer to use more conventional phrases. For instance, instead of "We need to curb down spending," say "We need to "reduce spending"".

Are there situations where "curb down" is appropriate?

Because "curb down" is not widely recognized as standard English, it is best to avoid using it, even in informal writing. Using "curtail", "lessen", or "diminish", depending on the context, would be more appropriate.