gone down that route

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gone down that route" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has chosen a particular course of action or approach, often implying that it may not have been the best choice. Example: "After considering all options, I realized I had already gone down that route before, and it didn't lead to the desired outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Guardian

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I just went down that route.

Independent

Why did you go down that route?

The Guardian - Film

I wanted to go down that route.

The New York Times

But how many are prepared to go down that route?

Independent

They don't want to go down that route.

The Guardian - Business

None of us wants to contemplate going down that route.

The Guardian - Opinion

I didn't want to go down that route.

The Guardian

But I decided not to go down that route".

The New Yorker

"It's challenging, but it's important for us not to go down that route.

Independent

Professor Laugesen and Ms. Glied refrain from going down that route.

The New York Times

The whole world will be shown an open door to go down that route".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add a touch of formality, consider using “followed that course” instead of “gone down that route” in professional or academic contexts.

Common error

While "gone down that route" is widely understood, it can sound too informal for academic papers or high-level business reports. Opt for more formal alternatives like "pursued that approach" or "adopted that strategy" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gone down that route" functions as a verb phrase indicating the selection and pursuit of a specific course of action or method. Ludwig examples show it used to express past choices, often with implications of success or failure. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

The Guardian

10%

Independent

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gone down that route" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes having chosen and followed a particular course of action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While widely used in news and media, its informality may make alternatives preferable in formal or academic writing. Common synonyms include "taken that path" and "followed that course". The phrase implies past decisions, often reflecting on their outcomes. Remember to consider your audience and the level of formality required when choosing whether to use "gone down that route" or a more formal alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taken that path

Replaces "route" with "path", implying a similar journey or course of action.

followed that course

Substitutes "gone down" with "followed" and "route" with "course", suggesting a chosen direction.

pursued that approach

Replaces the journey metaphor with the idea of actively pursuing a method or strategy.

chosen that option

Focuses on the selection of a specific choice or possibility.

adopted that strategy

Highlights the implementation of a particular plan or method.

went in that direction

Emphasizes the act of moving towards a specific outcome or goal.

opted for that alternative

Focuses on the selection of one option over others.

selected that method

Highlights the choice of a specific procedure or technique.

embraced that solution

Suggests a wholehearted acceptance and implementation of a particular answer or fix.

undertook that endeavor

Emphasizes the initiation and commitment to a particular project or undertaking.

FAQs

How can I use "gone down that route" in a sentence?

You can use "gone down that route" to indicate that a particular action or decision was taken, often implying that it wasn't the best choice. For example, "After considering all options, I realized I had already "gone down that route" before, and it didn't lead to the desired outcome."

What can I say instead of "gone down that route"?

You can use alternatives like "taken that path", "followed that course", or "pursued that approach" depending on the context.

Is "gone down that route" appropriate for formal writing?

While "gone down that route" is widely understood, it may be too informal for academic papers or high-level business reports. In those cases, consider using alternatives like "adopted that strategy" or "selected that method".

What's the difference between "gone down that route" and "gone down that path"?

The phrases ""gone down that route"" and "gone down that path" are very similar and often interchangeable. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. "Path" may subtly emphasize the journey, while "route" can emphasize a more planned or strategic course.