disappear down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disappear down" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something or someone going out of sight or into a hole or tunnel. Example: As the sun set, the boats disappeared down the river, leaving behind a trail of shimmering reflections on the water.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And when he came home from work he'd disappear down the basement stairs.

The New Yorker

And that after six o'clock, women are expected to disappear down holes in the ground.

The Guardian - Travel

He will start on the straightest possible topic, and disappear down the strangest eddy.

The Guardian

But before the Expos completely disappear down the baseball drain, M.L.B. needs to set them free.

The New York Times - Sports

Vast amounts of money are invested in promotion and marketing, most of which disappear down a black hole.

The Economist

Twice I slipped and saw a water bottle fall from my pack and disappear down a slope.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After all, it was a hot summer's day when Alice saw the white rabbit disappear down the rabbit hole.

The Guardian

It also comprises some statements the party might be happier to see disappear down the memory hole.

The Guardian - Opinion

Around half the world's steelmaking raw materials and two-fifths of its copper and aluminium now disappear down the dragon's maw.

The Economist

"Just watching it all disappear down the dream hole, huh?" she mutters to Mr. Berger after a tough day of technical rehearsal.

The New York Times - Books

Petrov seemed to be a kind of savant of the commonplace, as though he'd known that all of it would soon disappear down a smoking pit.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disappear down" to vividly describe a physical descent or vanishing, particularly when the destination is a hole, tunnel, or other enclosed space. For example: "The rabbit disappeared down the burrow."

Common error

Avoid using other prepositions after "disappear" when "down" already indicates direction. Instead of saying "disappear down into", simply use "disappear down".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disappear down" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating a movement out of sight and often implying a descent into a specific location or container. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "disappear down" effectively conveys a sense of vanishing combined with downward motion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. This phrase offers a vivid way to describe both physical and abstract disappearances. While the phrase is mostly used in neutral register, remember to avoid redundant prepositions. For similar expressions, consider alternatives like "vanish below" or "descend into" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vanish below

Implies a sudden disappearance to a position underneath something.

descend into

Suggests a movement downwards, often into a physical space.

sink beneath

Describes something going below a surface, often water.

recede into

Indicates a gradual movement away and out of sight.

go underground

Implies a literal or figurative movement to a hidden location.

plunge into

Suggests a rapid and forceful descent.

fade from view

Describes a gradual loss of visibility.

slip away

Suggests a subtle and unnoticed departure.

melt into

Implies a seamless blending and disappearance into the background.

dematerialize into

Suggests a disappearance that seems almost magical or unreal.

FAQs

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

The phrase "disappear down" describes something going out of sight, usually into a hole or a lower place. Example: "The water disappeared down the drain."

What's the difference between "descend into" and "disappear down"?

"Disappear down" implies a complete vanishing, while "descend into" simply means to move downwards, not necessarily out of sight.

Which is more common, "go down" or "disappear down"?

"Go down" is a more general term for moving downwards. "Disappear down" specifies a vanishing act while moving downwards. They aren't always interchangeable.

Are there any idiomatic uses of "disappear down"?

Yes, it can be used figuratively to describe something being lost or consumed. For example, "The company watched their profits disappear down a black hole".