down the gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "down the gap" is not a standard expression in written English and may not be widely understood.
It could be used in contexts where one is referring to something that has fallen or is moving into a space or opening, but clarity may be lacking without additional context. Example: "The ball rolled down the gap between the two buildings."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The Colombia-HTC team have brought down the gap to 19 seconds with 13km to go.

The Guardian - Sport

Even if you have delivered an excellent first script, the relationship might need to slow down, the gap between a good 30-minute script and a six-part series is massive.

The Guardian - Books

Anything, the owner of one small food shop remarked, to "get the exchange rate down and people spending again".But that did not happen, and even if negotiations have not broken down, the gap between the light touch on the brakes that Iran may be prepared to apply to its uranium enrichment and the very limited lifting of sanctions the West is offering as an incentive, seems unbridgeable.

The Economist

One of the major challenges of existing protocols is to narrow down the gap between the test results obtained under lab conditions and actual cooking conditions.

Energy

As technology scales down, the gap between what circuit design needs and what technology allows is rapidly widening for maximum allowed current density in interconnects.

Microelectronics Reliability

However, Carlos Tevez should have done better when the former Manchester City striker was put through one-on-one, only for goalkeeper Anthony Lopes to close down the gap and make the save.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

As I sit down, the Gap-ad crowd stare with incomprehension and not a little revulsion.

The Guardian - Travel

"On paper, it may look a difficult task, but we are singularly determined to close down the gaps between ourselves and the championship leaders".

BBC

Elliott and Lindley (2008) apply the B-O technique to break down the wage gap between immigrant groups and the base category of white natives for full-time employed males using British LFS data over the period 1993 to 2003.

IZA Journal of Migration

Daisie will break down the archaic gap between youth and creative jobs; offering new opportunities for individuals to collaborate, learn and create – establishing a new way for talented individuals to be discovered and employed," she said.

TechCrunch

"They're saying, 'It hasn't reached me yet, but I'm hunkering down.' " The gap between people's attitudes about the current climate and their expectations for the future is now wider than it has ever been in the 34 years of the poll.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "down the gap", ensure the context clearly indicates a physical space or opening. Consider whether a more specific term like 'crevice' or 'opening' would improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "down the gap" in abstract contexts where a more appropriate phrase like "bridging the divide" or "addressing the disparity" would be more fitting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "down the gap" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb to indicate direction or location. It describes movement or placement in relation to a space or opening. Ludwig provides several examples where "down the gap" describes a physical action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "down the gap" is a prepositional phrase used to describe movement or position in relation to an opening or space. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is acceptable and usage is relatively uncommon. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science and Wiki. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates a physical space; otherwise, consider using more specific or formal alternatives. Common errors include using it in abstract contexts where more precise vocabulary would be more appropriate. Always strive for clarity and specificity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through the opening

Replaces 'gap' with 'opening,' focusing on the physical space.

into the space

Uses 'space' instead of 'gap,' emphasizing a general area.

into the divide

Changes the noun to 'divide,' suggesting a more significant separation.

slipping through the crack

Employs 'crack' to suggest a minor fault or opening.

through the crevice

Employs 'crevice' to indicate a narrow opening.

into the fissure

Uses 'fissure' to denote a deep or narrow crack.

along the divide

Changes 'down' to 'along,' suggesting movement parallel to the gap.

falling into the breach

Replaces 'gap' with 'breach,' indicating a break or rupture.

along the chasm

Changes 'gap' to 'chasm', implying a larger separation, and 'down' to 'along'.

descending into the void

Replaces 'gap' with 'void,' implying emptiness.

FAQs

How can I use "down the gap" in a sentence?

Use "down the gap" to describe movement into or through a physical opening, such as "The coin fell "down the gap" between the seats."

What are some alternatives to "down the gap"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "through the opening", "into the space", or "into the divide".

When is it appropriate to use "down the gap"?

It's suitable when referring to something physically moving into a space or opening. Be mindful of the clarity in abstract or metaphorical contexts.

Is "down the gap" formal or informal language?

It tends to be neutral to informal, depending on the context. In more formal writing, consider more precise vocabulary related to spatial relations.