fold down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fold down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the action of bending or collapsing something, typically in a downward direction, such as furniture or paper. Example: "To save space, you can easily fold down the table when it's not in use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The legs fold down all by themselves.

The New Yorker

They fold down into a little pocketable stretchy bag.

The New York Times - Tech

They do, however, fold down for increased cargo space.

The New York Times

Other parts fold down to allow an existing garden to flow up onto the roof.

The New York Times - Style

They're metal-cased with decent quality roof prisms and they fold down to almost nothing.

The Guardian - Tech

The seats fold down and up to the sides in 64 different ways.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The most prominent members were WALK4 (3.4 fold down-regulated) and CIPK22 (3.3 fold down-regulated).

BMC Plant Biology

We found glycoprotein m6a −19.5-fold down regulated in adenocarcinomas.

Plosone

She worked from her bed and a fold-down desk.

The New York Times

He stretched out on the fold-down bed in his carriage.

The New Yorker

Now a clever fold-down grip helps keep shots steady.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fold down" when describing the action of reducing the size of an object by bending or collapsing it, especially furniture, seats, or paper items.

Common error

Avoid using "fold down" when the action involves folding something upwards or inwards; the phrase specifically implies a downward motion.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "fold down" functions as a dynamic verb, describing an action of changing the state of an object from an extended or upright position to a collapsed or flattened one. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is used to describe the manipulation of physical items such as seats, tables, or paper.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fold down" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrasal verb that describes the action of collapsing or flattening something in a downward direction. According to Ludwig AI, it is predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. When using "fold down", ensure that the action truly involves a downward motion. Consider alternatives like "collapse" or "lower" if the context differs. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and easily understood across various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collapse

Refers to a sudden loss of structure or form, similar to folding down but often more dramatic.

lower

Implies a downward movement, which can be associated with the action of folding something down.

bring down

Suggests causing something to descend, akin to folding it to a lower position.

turn down

Implies rotating something downwards, which can be a specific way of folding.

bend down

Involves bending something downwards, a type of folding.

fold inwards

Specifically describes a folding action toward the center, rather than downwards.

tuck away

Suggests concealing something, which can be achieved by folding it down.

flatten

Indicates making something level or smooth, which might involve folding down.

close up

Implies reducing the size of something, possibly by folding down parts of it.

compress

Suggests squeezing something into a smaller space, a result similar to folding down.

FAQs

How is "fold down" used in a sentence?

The phrasal verb "fold down" describes the action of collapsing or flattening something, typically in a downward direction. For example, "The seats "fold down" for extra cargo space."

What are some synonyms for "fold down"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "collapse", "lower", or "bring down" as alternatives to "fold down".

When is it appropriate to use "fold down" instead of "fold up"?

"Fold down" is used when the action involves moving something to a lower position or making it flatter, while "fold up" implies making something more compact by folding it upwards or inwards.

Can "fold down" be used in contexts other than physical objects?

While primarily used for physical objects like seats or tables, "fold down" can metaphorically describe reducing the intensity or scope of something. However, such usage is less common and should be carefully considered for clarity.