down the trough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "down the trough" is not commonly used in written English and may not be widely recognized.
It could be used in contexts related to agriculture or animal husbandry, referring to feeding animals, but its usage may be limited. Example: "The farmer filled the feed down the trough for the pigs to eat."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I watched as Wynona marched down the trough with her trunk sweeping the water, seemingly distraught.

The New York Times

We rocketed down the trough, then sideslipped a three-foot snowdrift on the edge of a muddy trail for the last two miles.

The New York Times - Travel

As we headed out from the harbour, my five-year-old son Finn screamed with delight every time the inflatable boat bounced up and down the trough of a swell.

The Guardian - Travel

When a Conus catus snail at the opposite end of the trough sensed the fish, it guided its translucent proboscis down the trough's furrow until it touched the fish.

Science Magazine

Elongated areas of low pressure, or troughs, are sometimes plotted as thick, brown dashed lines down the trough axis.

Wikipedia

A High is often shown as H, and a low is shown as L. Elongated areas of low pressure, or troughs, are sometimes plotted as thick, brown dashed lines down the trough axis.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"They get in at the peak and ride down to the trough".

The New York Times

(The union's answer, for the person on the tracks: lie down "in the trough" if there is no time for an escape).

The New York Times

There's a bit near the end where he pops out of the tube at a grinding reef break called Padang Padang, swoops down to the trough, turns, changes stance from his usual left foot forward to right foot forward, then casually tucks back into another tube section.

The New York Times

The water should flow down into the trough of the hole.

WikiHow

As a result, the rubber slider does not press down on the troughs.

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "down the trough", ensure the context clearly establishes what 'trough' refers to, whether it's a literal feeding trough, a metaphorical low point, or a geological formation.

Common error

Avoid using "down the trough" in contexts where the metaphorical meaning of 'trough' (a low point or period of hardship) is not easily understood or could be misinterpreted literally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "down the trough" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to describe the direction or path of movement. As Ludwig examples show, it specifies a downward motion, either literally within a physical trough or metaphorically into a low point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "down the trough" is a prepositional phrase indicating a downward movement or progression, either literally or metaphorically. Ludwig AI shows that while the phrase may not be universally recognized, it is used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. Its specific meaning depends heavily on the context, with primary contexts being "News & Media", "Wiki" and "Science". Therefore, be mindful of the context to ensure clarity. Although "down the trough" is grammatically acceptable, consider the audience and situation and the suggestions that Ludwig proposed in order to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

into the trough

Focuses on the direction of movement towards the inside of the trough rather than the action of moving down.

descending into the trough

Formalizes the action, emphasizing the downward movement into the trough.

along the trough

Emphasizes movement parallel to the trough's length, suggesting a journey or progression.

going down to the trough

Simplifies the phrase to a basic description of movement toward the trough.

at the bottom of the trough

Highlights the final position at the lowest part of the trough rather than the movement itself.

to the low point

Generalizes the idea of reaching a low point, without specifying the "trough".

into the depression

Replaces "trough" with a more general term for a low-lying area or indentation.

toward the lower part

Refers to the general act of going towards any lower section.

sinking into the depths

Emphasizes the profoundness of going down to a low place.

reaching the nadir

Uses the formal term "nadir" for the lowest point, changing the tone and register.

FAQs

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

The phrase "down the trough" can be used literally to describe movement in a physical trough or metaphorically to describe going through a difficult period, like "They get in at the peak and ride "down to the trough"".

What does "down the trough" mean in a business context?

In a business context, "down the trough" often refers to the lowest point in an economic cycle or a period of significant decline. For example, "Downtown Orlando office vacancy rates have winnowed "down from about 20percentt during the trough"".

Is "down the trough" a common expression?

While not extremely common, "down the trough" is a recognizable phrase. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase might not be widely recognized. Its usage is more frequent in specific contexts like economics or agriculture. Related alternative phrases are "into the trough" or "along the trough".

What's a more formal alternative to "down the trough"?

A more formal alternative depends on the context. If referring to a low point, consider "reaching the nadir". If describing movement, use "descending into the depression", although the meaning shifts subtly. Consider the alternative phrases like "to the low point".