hoist down

USAGE SUMMARY

'hoist down' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in a nautical context, meaning to lower a sail from a yardarm to the deck of a ship, using a block and tackle. For example: The sailors hoisted down the spanker, securing it to the deck with the sheets.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She sits in her lint- and fabric-conditioner-scented kingdom surveying CCTV footage of a local OAP who sometimes pops in the laundrette to hoist down her elastic waisted trousers and wee in the waste bin.

Independent

The operator brought the hoist down to the ground, and project executives called the City Buildings Department's safety team.

The New York Times

The explosion burned the ammunition hoist down to the magazine.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Just this past Fourth of July, the torch atop the Statue of Liberty was hoisted down for replacement.

The New York Times

How can they appear so secure when flags will be hoisted down once again for those Baton Rouge police officers.

Huffington Post

"Now it's just a matter of logistically, how do we get them back," said FWC spokesman Jorge Pino, adding adding that Miami-Dade Fire Rescue workers were being hoisted down to the scene from a helicopter.

Huffington Post

The difficulty of getting to it adds to its wonder - besides being hoisted down from a helicopter, the only known way to access it is by swimming or scuba diving through a very small tunnel (50 feet long with only 6 feet of air space) on the tidal side of its cavernous walls.

Huffington Post

And, of course, just having hoisted that board up there, I have to hoist it down again.

Yale University

Each gun turret had a working chamber beneath it that was connected to a revolving ammunition hoist leading down to the magazine below it.

Wikipedia

"Two men hoisted themselves down," he said.

The New York Times

The Canadian flags that fly above the crab boats have been hoisted upside down, and some are defaced with swastikas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing nautical activities or construction processes, use "hoist down" to specifically indicate lowering an object using a hoisting mechanism. For example, "The crew had to hoist down the damaged sail during the storm."

Common error

Avoid using "hoist down" interchangeably with simple "lower". "Hoist down" implies the use of a specific mechanical system, while "lower" is more general.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hoist down" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, combining the verb "hoist" with the particle "down". It describes the action of lowering something, typically with the aid of a mechanical lifting device. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hoist down" is a grammatically correct and usable phrasal verb meaning to lower something with a mechanical device. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is often used in nautical contexts, but it can also appear in construction and other settings. While it's not as common as a simple "lower", "hoist down" specifically indicates the use of a hoisting system. Its usage is mostly neutral, appearing in news, wiki, and academic content. When writing, be sure to use "hoist down" to specifically refer to controlled descent using a mechanism, and avoid using it as a general substitute for "lower".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower from above

This alternative focuses on the act of decreasing altitude, similar to the effect of "hoist down".

bring down using ropes

This explicitly mentions the method used in "hoist down", specifying ropes for lowering.

descend via pulley

Highlights the mechanical aspect of using a pulley system to achieve descent, analogous to "hoist down".

winch downwards

Emphasizes the use of a winch to lower something, which can be part of a hoisting system.

let down by cable

Similar to using ropes, this specifies a cable for lowering something from a height.

draw down with tackle

Refers to drawing something down using a tackle system, a mechanical advantage setup.

release from suspension

Focuses on releasing something that was held up, resulting in a downward movement.

drop from elevation

A more general way to describe something descending from a higher position.

take down carefully

Highlights the careful handling involved in lowering something, implying control and precision.

de-escalate gradually

Implies a controlled and gradual lowering or reduction, sharing the concept of controlled descent.

FAQs

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

You can use "hoist down" to describe the action of lowering something with a mechanical device, such as "The construction workers had to hoist down the heavy steel beam."

What is an alternative to "hoist down"?

Alternatives to "hoist down" include "lower from above", "bring down using ropes", or "descend via pulley" depending on the context.

Is "hoist down" the same as "lower"?

"Hoist down" specifically implies using a hoisting mechanism to lower something, while "lower" is a more general term. Therefore, they aren't always interchangeable.

What's the difference between "hoist up" and "hoist down"?

"Hoist up" means to raise something, while "hoist down" means to lower something. They are opposite actions involving a lifting or lowering mechanism.