ebb out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ebb out" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to gradually diminish or fade away. Example: As the hours passed, his energy began to ebb out and he could barely keep his eyes open.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Peace reigns here – I felt the stress ebb out of me before I'd even tried the gentle meditation, yoga and complimentary therapies on offer.

The Guardian - Travel

When, in the early afternoon, the tide turned and began to ebb out in the Solent, the wind-against-tide conditions turned the seaway into a minefield of standing waves.

The New York Times - Sports

The life is beginning to ebb out of this game, but Benzema picked the ball up 25 yards out and, when Italy couldn't be bothered to close him down, curled a delicious, dipping effort around Chiellini and towards the far corner of Buffon's net, only for the keeper to palm it away at full stretch.

The Guardian - Sport

After Vurnon Anita slid wide when arriving with perfect timing at the far post following some excellent work from Hatem Ben Arfa, the belief seemed to ebb out of the hosts.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The breakwater becomes visible seven minutes later as the first wave starts ebbing out of the city.

The New York Times

And his smile, like a spinster's sachet — the last fragrance ebbed out long ago in the trousseau never used.

The New Yorker

It's just as loopy as the darkest, vengeful dream of an opium addled nobleman watching the vast wealth of China ebbing out in the late 1800s, but there it is.

Huffington Post

All of our transponders beep in unison, but something necessary is ebbing out of Brauser's eyes.

The New Yorker

If that had been made clear at the time, some of the bitterness might have ebbed out of the debate.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It would be a dreadful shame if this acquisition followed form – job losses, investment drain and, worst of all, new technologies and skills ebbing out of our economy.

The Guardian - Business

Click here to view When Britney isn't being slammed by the Sidebar Of Shame for having a thimble's worth of body fat ebbing out of the side of her trousers, she makes pop music.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ebb out" when you want to convey a sense of gradual decline or diminishment, particularly when describing emotions, energy, or abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "ebb out" interchangeably with phrases that imply a sudden or forceful departure. "Ebb out" suggests a gentle, gradual decrease, not an abrupt removal.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "ebb out" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, describing the gradual decline or diminishment of something. Ludwig confirms this as a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ebb out" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb that describes a gradual decline or diminishment, according to Ludwig. It's most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While not overly common, it is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. To achieve clarity, avoid using "ebb out" in situations requiring terms that imply sudden or forceful departure. Several alternatives exist, such as "fade away" or "recede", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fade away

Similar meaning, focusing on gradual disappearance.

recede

A more concise synonym that focuses on the act of moving back or away.

diminish

Emphasizes a reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

wane

Implies a decrease in strength or power, often gradual.

subside

Suggests a calming down or lessening of intensity, like a storm.

taper off

Indicates a gradual decrease, especially in quantity or activity.

peter out

To gradually decrease and stop.

dwindle

To become gradually less until little remains.

dissipate

To scatter or fade away; disappear.

lessen

To decrease or make less.

FAQs

How can I use "ebb out" in a sentence?

You can use "ebb out" to describe a gradual decline, such as "As the day wore on, his enthusiasm began to "ebb out"" or "The tide started to "ebb out", revealing the sandy shore".

What's a good alternative to "ebb out"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "fade away", "diminish", or "recede" as alternatives to "ebb out".

Is "ebb out" formal or informal?

"Ebb out" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing, though it might sound slightly more literary than other alternatives.

What does "ebb out" mean?

"Ebb out" means to gradually decrease, diminish, or fade away. It often suggests a slow and gentle decline.