fall into a trough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall into a trough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something experiences a decline or low point, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "After a period of rapid growth, the company began to fall into a trough, struggling to maintain its previous success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Ricky" is quick to fall into a trough of judgmental despair.

The Guardian - Books

There are shows in which you can bounce off a big rubber ball and fall into a trough of dirty water.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And yet, WBAI has fallen into a trough in the past decade.

The New York Times

She has paid particular attention to repairing it after it fell into a trough during the era of her predecessor, Gerhard Schröder.

The New York Times

The open source device is under development right now (availability is up in the air) but it really points to some interesting work being done on a device that, at least in terms of hype, has fallen into a trough of interest.

TechCrunch

Will the company fall into a sales trough after the November 2011 patent expiration for Lipitor, the cholesterol fighter and world's top-selling drug?

The New York Times

The water flows from a hollow bamboo stick protruding from the rock wall falling directly into a trough cut through the stone floor.

Huffington Post

There have been 32 recorded accidents over three years at Alton Towers, it emerged on Saturday, from a guest being rushed to hospital after hearing her "neck crack" on the 60mph Rita ride to an employee falling into a water trough.

The Guardian

At the box office, animated films, which have recently been Hollywood's most reliable genre, have fallen into a deep trough, as the category's top three performers combined — "Rio," from Fox; "Rango," from Paramount; and "Hop," from Universal — have had fewer ticket buyers than did "Shrek the Third," from DreamWorks Animation, after its release in mid-May mid-May four years ago

The New York Times

We'd release them, then you'd hear their footsteps pattering across the woodwork, then they'd fall into the trough with a thump".

The New Yorker

Will we as an industry fall into the trough of the hype cycle?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "fall into a trough" when you want to describe a situation or entity experiencing a decline, setback, or low point, particularly after a period of success or high activity. It's often used metaphorically to describe economic, emotional, or performance-related downturns.

Common error

Avoid using "fall into a trough" literally to describe physical falls. The phrase is primarily figurative and should be used to represent a decline in a conceptual sense, not a literal plunge into a physical trough.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall into a trough" functions as an idiomatic expression. It's used to describe a state of decline, setback, or low point. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall into a trough" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a period of decline or low activity, often following a period of success. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While not exceptionally common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, it's important to remember its figurative nature and avoid literal interpretations. Alternatives such as "enter a decline" or "experience a downturn" may be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enter a decline

This phrase suggests a general downturn or weakening, differing from "fall into a trough" by being less idiomatic.

experience a downturn

This phrase is more business-oriented and implies a temporary decline in performance or activity.

sink into a slump

Implies a period of inactivity or poor performance, with a more casual tone compared to "fall into a trough".

decline sharply

This indicates a rapid and significant decrease, differing from "fall into a trough" which can imply a more gradual descent.

hit a low point

This signifies reaching the lowest possible level, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

degenerated into a low

Suggests a decline in quality or condition, often used in scientific contexts.

slid into a recession

This economic term suggests a period of economic decline, adding specific context.

descend into despair

This phrase indicates a more emotional and psychological decline, moving beyond a general low point.

lapse into stagnation

This phrase emphasizes a lack of progress or development, which is a specific type of decline.

plummet into failure

This suggests a rapid and catastrophic decline, indicating a more severe outcome than "fall into a trough".

FAQs

How can I use "fall into a trough" in a sentence?

You can use "fall into a trough" to describe a period of decline or low activity, as in, "After a successful product launch, sales started to "fall into a trough" during the off-season".

What does it mean to "fall into a trough"?

To "fall into a trough" means to experience a decline or a low point, often after a period of success. It implies a temporary setback or downturn in performance, emotions, or circumstances.

What are some alternatives to "fall into a trough"?

Alternatives to "fall into a trough" include phrases like "enter a decline", "experience a downturn", or "sink into a slump", depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "fall into a trough"?

"Fall into a trough" is appropriate in contexts where you want to describe a downturn or a low point, especially in areas like business, economics, or personal performance. It's less appropriate for literal, physical situations.