go down a bit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go down a bit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to lower something slightly, whether it's a physical object, a volume level, or a numerical value. Example: "Could you please go down a bit on the volume? It's too loud for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"(In) the short term, the price could go down a bit more.

The Guardian - Business

And they help make Las Vegas go down a bit more easily.

The New York Times

Schmid's pop-arty, anime cartoons make it go down a bit easier.

The New York Times - Books

"People ask you to go down a bit in the price but they ask in a nice way," he said.

The New York Times

Unlike Mr. Greenaway, Ms. Doniol-Valcroze and Mr. Flam have neglected to fill their film with attractive naked people, a sugar coating that always makes the postmodernist pill go down a bit easier.

The New York Times

"Our yield is bound to go down a bit," he said, referring to the proportion of admitted students who enroll at a college, which is often viewed as a measure of its desirability.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It all goes down a bit roughly.

The New York Times - Books

"The emotion went down a bit.

The Guardian

Their initial estimate was that it had gone down a bit.

The New Yorker

She's gone down a bit since her son got injured.

The New Yorker

Taveras showed them graphs generated by the previous month's recording, noting that their words and conversational turns had gone down a bit.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, "go down a bit" might be considered too informal. Use alternatives like "decrease slightly" or "reduce incrementally".

Common error

Avoid using "go down a bit" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional language, such as "decrease marginally" or "reduce by a small amount".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go down a bit" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a slight decrease or reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, as demonstrated through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go down a bit" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a slight decrease or reduction. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's frequently used in news and media, with neutral to informal register. While versatile, avoid overusing it in formal contexts, opting instead for alternatives like "decrease slightly" or "reduce a little". When describing numerical changes, quantify the reduction for better clarity. Despite its informal nature, "go down a bit" remains a useful and easily understood phrase in many everyday situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Decrease slightly

Focuses on the action of decreasing, emphasizing the small degree of change.

Reduce a little

Emphasizes the act of reduction with a similar focus on the small quantity.

Drop marginally

Suggests a slight decline, often used in a more formal or statistical context.

Decline a tad

Uses "tad" to indicate a very small amount of decrease, adding a slightly informal tone.

Fall slightly

Focuses on the downward movement, implying a gentle descent.

Diminish somewhat

Implies a reduction in size, importance, or intensity to some extent.

Lower incrementally

Highlights a gradual decrease, suggesting a step-by-step reduction.

Recede slightly

Suggests a withdrawal or lessening of something, like water level or an emotion.

Subside a little

Implies a calming down or lessening of intensity, often used for swelling or emotions.

Lessen to a degree

Highlights the limited extent of the reduction, making the degree of change explicit.

FAQs

What does "go down a bit" mean?

The phrase "go down a bit" means to decrease or reduce slightly. It suggests a small reduction in quantity, level, or intensity.

What can I say instead of "go down a bit"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease slightly", "reduce a little", or "fall slightly" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "go down a bit" in professional emails?

While generally acceptable, "go down a bit" might be too informal for some professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "decline marginally" or "diminish somewhat" for a more polished tone.

How can I use "go down a bit" in a sentence?

You can use "go down a bit" in sentences like: "The price might go down a bit after the holidays" or "Could you please turn the volume down a bit?". Remember to consider the context to ensure it fits the level of formality.