fly down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'fly down' is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to descend or to move downwards quickly and smoothly, often referring to an airplane or bird in flight. It can also be used figuratively to mean to come down or decrease rapidly. Example: "The pilot announced that we would soon fly down to our final destination." "Watching the birds fly down towards the trees was a beautiful sight." "The stock prices began to fly down as news of the company's bankruptcy spread."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I fly down as often as possible.

Independent

Now he can fly down in less than 2 hours.

The New Yorker

We could fly down to Absurdistan next week.

The New Yorker

A Hollywood star would fly down on a jet.

The Guardian - Film

They're due to fly down to Rio tonight.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was cheaper to fly down here," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Sanders asks to fly down the river.

The New York Times

"Did the plane fly down over the park?" "Maybe the park, maybe the river," she said.

The New Yorker

I spent the morning up in the mountains watching snowboarders fly down a slope.

The New Yorker

One verse in particular stood out: Sparrow, won't you fly down south by me?

The New York Times

"I had to pay for a friend to fly down and drive me there.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fly down" to vividly describe a quick descent, whether literal (like an airplane) or figurative (like a falling price).

Common error

Avoid using "fly down" to describe gradual decreases or movements. It implies a rapid, almost precipitous decline, so ensure the context matches this sense.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "fly down" primarily functions as a verb of motion, indicating a downward movement typically associated with flight. Ludwig provides examples ranging from literal instances, such as a bird or plane, to figurative uses, like prices dropping. According to Ludwig AI, it denotes descending quickly and smoothly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "fly down" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a rapid, downward movement, often associated with air travel or a similar type of descent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly within news and media, and conveys a sense of speed and direction. While versatile, it's best used when describing quick descents rather than gradual decreases. Ludwig's examples illustrate its diverse applications, from literal flights to figurative drops in value, underscoring its broad applicability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descend

Refers to moving or falling downwards, often from a higher position.

come down

Indicates movement from a higher to a lower level or place.

drop down

Suggests a quick or sudden descent.

glide down

Implies a smooth and controlled descent.

plummet

Describes a rapid and steep fall.

swoop down

Conveys a swift and dramatic descent, often by a bird.

dive down

Suggests a steep and headlong descent.

lower oneself

Implies a deliberate and controlled movement downwards.

move downward

A general term for going in a downward direction.

travel down

Indicates movement from a higher to a lower location.

FAQs

How can I use "fly down" in a sentence?

You can use "fly down" to describe the motion of something descending rapidly. For example, "The eagle watched its prey before it "swooped down"" or "The price of oil began to "plummet"".

What are some alternatives to using "fly down"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "descend", "come down", or "drop down".

Is it correct to use "fly down" to describe a person traveling?

Yes, "fly down" can describe a person traveling by airplane to a location perceived as being 'down' relative to the origin, like from north to south.

What's the difference between "fly down" and "come down"?

"Fly down" typically implies air travel or a rapid, bird-like descent. "Come down" is more general and can refer to any downward movement, whether by air, land, or sea.