cushion the fall

USAGE SUMMARY

"cushion the fall" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which someone or something helps reduce the impact of a difficult situation. For example, "The government introduced a series of measures to cushion the fall of the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The question now is the height of the drop.Central banks are trying to cushion the fall.

The Economist

In field tests, its air bags, meant to cushion the fall, exploded at touchdown.

The New York Times - Science

What remained was deciding a severance package suitable to cushion the fall.

The New York Times

The continuation of strong earnings should cushion the fall, he said, making it unlikely that a bear market will follow.

The New York Times

While a booming Brazilian business helped cushion the fall for Santander, Mexico overtook Spain as the market contributing most to BBVA's earnings.

The New York Times

I'd toss aside the scoop and — eyes closed, slightly sickened by what was to come — put out my hands to cushion the fall.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The fat suit cushioned the fall.

The Guardian

It seems they are cushioning the fall.

The New York Times

They offer flexibility while cushioning the fall in income.

The Economist

A thicket of hemlock trees cushioned the fall, legend has it, and he lived for another 60 years.

The New York Times

In France, Mr. Purslow added, tighter restrictions on borrowing and a highly regulated real estate market curbed speculators, cushioning the fall of the market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cushion the fall" when you want to emphasize providing support or mitigation during a decline or negative situation, whether it's economic, personal, or otherwise.

Common error

Avoid using "cushion the fall" when the situation requires a complete reversal or prevention, rather than just mitigating negative effects. This phrase implies an acceptance of the decline and focuses on reducing its impact, not eliminating it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cushion the fall" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to mitigate the negative effects of a decline or downturn. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it describes efforts to lessen the impact of something undesirable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cushion the fall" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe actions taken to mitigate the negative impact of a decline or downturn. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "soften the impact" or "mitigate the decline" exist, "cushion the fall" specifically suggests providing support during an inevitable decline, rather than preventing it altogether. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of lessening the severity of a negative event, rather than seeking a complete reversal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mitigate the decline

Focuses on lessening the severity of the decline itself, rather than providing support.

soften the impact

Emphasizes reducing the force or effect of something, offering a broader application.

lessen the blow

Highlights reducing the negative effect of a sudden event or piece of news.

buffer the consequences

Focuses on shielding from the results or aftereffects of an action or event.

alleviate the effects

Highlights providing relief from the results of something negative.

cushion the impact of the downturn

More specific by mentioning the economic downturn.

ease the transition

Focuses on making a change smoother or less difficult.

protect from the repercussions

Highlights shielding from the negative consequences of an action.

shield from adversity

Emphasizes defending against hardship or misfortune.

provide a safety net

Offers a support system to prevent a complete failure or disaster.

FAQs

How can I use "cushion the fall" in a sentence?

You can use "cushion the fall" to describe actions taken to lessen the negative effects of a decline. For example, "The government implemented policies to "cushion the fall" of the economy during the recession."

What are some alternatives to "cushion the fall"?

Some alternatives to "cushion the fall" include "mitigate the decline", "soften the impact", and "lessen the blow", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "cushion the fall" in a business context?

Yes, "cushion the fall" is appropriate in a business context to describe strategies or measures taken to mitigate the negative effects of an economic downturn or a company's decline. It's similar to saying "cushion the impact of the downturn".

What's the difference between "cushion the fall" and "prevent the fall"?

"Cushion the fall" implies that a decline is inevitable, and the focus is on reducing its negative impact. "Prevent the fall", on the other hand, means taking actions to stop the decline from happening in the first place. The first one is similar to "buffer the consequences".