down the measures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "down the measures" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a process of evaluating or assessing something, but the expression is unclear without additional context. Example: "We need to go down the measures to understand the impact of the changes."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

American officials said they expected China to wrangle over the wording of a United Nations resolution, with a goal of watering down the measures against Tehran.

The New York Times

"But this letter reveals that Vince Cable is trying to water down the measures aimed at protecting the environment and boosting a green economic recovery".

The Guardian

El Hadji Diouf, a prominent Senegalese lawyer, has been outspoken in his condemnation, and has threatened to propose new legislation striking down the measures.

The Guardian

Japan and other critics wanted to water down the measures but intense negotiations, including a personal appeal by Clinton to the Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, failed to lead to an agreement.

The Guardian

The government, which faces re-election next February, has attempted to play down the measures with officials repeatedly saying they will not follow the example of crisis-hit Greece where EU-IMF mandated austerity measures have pushed the country into its worst recession since the second world war.

The Guardian - Business

But after European leaders expressed concern that Italy had watered down the measures in response to criticism from within the center-right coalition, the government on Tuesday strengthened them, adding changes to the pension system and raising the value-added tax on goods and services to 21 percent from 20 percent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But the players' union shot down the measure.

The New York Times - Sports

Only sluggish building permits, a signal of future home construction, pulled down the measure.

The New York Times

When asked by British politicians whether those changes have watered down the measure's effectiveness, Mr. Volcker dismissed the concerns.

The New York Times

Fidesz shot down the measure by organising a referendum, in part as a means to destroy the government's legitimacy.

The Economist

But Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who heads the Senate Republican re-election campaign and voted no today, played down the measure's significance, calling it a "relatively benign bill".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey a specific meaning related to actions taken on measures, prefer established phrases like "water down the measures" or "reject the measures" for clarity and better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "down the measures" without carefully considering if it accurately reflects your intended meaning. Due to its ambiguity, using clearer and more common alternatives can prevent miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "down the measures" does not have a clearly defined grammatical function in standard English. Ludwig AI indicates it's not a correct phrase. It could be interpreted as an attempt to describe an action taken against certain measures, but its usage is questionable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "down the measures" is not a standard or grammatically sound expression in English. Ludwig AI confirms its incorrectness. Its intended meaning is ambiguous, making it unsuitable for formal, professional, or even neutral communication. For clearer and more effective communication, consider using established alternatives such as "reduce the measures", "weaken the measures", or "reject the measures", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

water down the measures

Implies diluting the impact or stringency of the measures.

reduce the measures

Focuses on lessening the intensity or scope of the measures.

ease the measures

Focuses on making the measures less strict or burdensome.

weaken the measures

Emphasizes diminishing the strength or effectiveness of the measures.

reject the measures

Indicates a complete dismissal or disapproval of the measures.

dismantle the measures

Suggests taking the measures apart piece by piece.

invalidate the measures

Highlights the act of rendering the measures legally or officially void.

assess the measures

Focuses on evaluating the quality or effectiveness of the measures.

analyze the measures

Suggests examining the measures in order to understand their effectiveness.

invalidate the measurement

To negate the result of a measurement activity.

FAQs

What does "down the measures" mean?

The phrase "down the measures" is not standard English and lacks a clear, commonly understood meaning. Depending on the context you want to create, it might be related to rejecting, reducing, or analyzing measures.

How can I use "down the measures" in a sentence correctly?

Given that "down the measures" is uncommon and may not be grammatically correct, it's better to use alternatives like "reduce the measures" or "reject the measures" to ensure clarity.

Which is correct, "down the measures" or "water down the measures"?

"Water down the measures" is the correct and commonly accepted phrase, meaning to weaken or dilute the impact of certain actions. "Down the measures" is not a recognized idiom and should be avoided.

What are some alternatives to "down the measures" if I want to express reducing the intensity of something?

Instead of "down the measures", consider using "ease the measures", "reduce the measures", or "water down the measures" to more clearly convey your intended meaning.