dial back

USAGE SUMMARY

"dial back" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to reduce the intensity or amount of something. For example, "I think we should dial back the marketing strategy a bit and focus on improving customer service".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Should they dial back their boozing?

The New York Times

So let's dial back the drama.

The New York Times

Now is the time to turn the dial back.

The Economist

The overhaul will dial back taxes on crude oil exports.

The New York Times

Could probably dial back on either sugar or ketchup.

The New York Times

I wheel the creaking dial back through Helsinki, Luxembourg, Athlone..

The Guardian - Tech

NBC might also want to dial back all the sponsorships.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Just maybe dial back on the sandwich videos for a bit.

The Guardian - Tech

It is critical that we've got to start to dial back the scale of government.

The New York Times

To win support from fellow regulators, Mr. Gensler has agreed to dial back some rules.

The New York Times

"I personally don't want to dial back my menu," Ms. Schafer said.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dial back" when you want to suggest a deliberate reduction or lessening of something that was previously at a higher level, such as effort, spending, or intensity.

Common error

While "dial back" is widely accepted, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "reduce", "decrease", or "mitigate" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dial back" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive one. It requires an object indicating what is being reduced. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound way to describe reducing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dial back" is a common and acceptable phrasal verb meaning to reduce the intensity, amount, or level of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with neutral register. While versatile, consider more formal alternatives like "reduce" or "mitigate" for academic or highly formal writing. The phrase is a useful way to suggest a deliberate or controlled lessening of something, as demonstrated by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scale down

Implies a reduction in size, scope, or intensity of an activity or project.

tone down

Suggests making something less forceful, offensive, or intense in expression or style.

reduce intensity

Directly states the act of lowering the strength or degree of something.

cut back

Indicates a reduction in quantity, amount, or expenditure.

ease off

Suggests a gradual reduction in effort or pressure.

retract

To withdraw a statement, opinion, or claim.

wind down

Implies gradually reducing activity before stopping completely.

turn down

Suggests rejecting or reducing the level of something, like volume or a proposal.

de-escalate

Refers to reducing the intensity of a conflict or tense situation.

soften

Implies making something less harsh or severe.

FAQs

How can I use "dial back" in a sentence?

"Dial back" is used to suggest a reduction in something. For example, "The company decided to "scale down" its marketing efforts and "dial back" their spending".

What's the difference between "dial back" and "reduce"?

"Dial back" often implies a more deliberate and controlled reduction, like adjusting a setting. "Reduce" is a more general term for lessening something. For example, you might ""dial back"" the intensity of a workout or simply "reduce" costs.

What can I say instead of "dial back" in a formal setting?

In a formal context, you could use alternatives like "decrease", "mitigate", or ""scale down"" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "dial back" appropriate for academic writing?

While acceptable, "dial back" is generally better suited for news articles or less formal contexts. For academic writing, consider more precise and formal alternatives like "attenuate" or "curtail".