lean down

USAGE SUMMARY

"lean down" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to bend or lower one's body towards something. It can also be used to describe the action of inclining or tilting something downwards. Example: The basketball player leaned down to tie his shoelaces before the game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I lean down to kiss her goodbye.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She had to lean down to do it.

The New Yorker

She wants to lean down and bite them.

The New Yorker

I lean down to inspect the neat rows of prepared vegetables, never smiling.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Tank oo," she whispers as I lean down to kiss her forehead.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When he cannot wipe his face, aides lean down and blot it for him.

The New York Times

He'd ask the patient to cough again and he'd lean down, listening intently with his stethoscope.

The New Yorker

In one scene Ives comforts John with an unusual observation: "When you lose your father, the trees lean down".

The New York Times

The mountainous hills seemed to lean down to touch the water, the Hudson curving back on itself a few times.

The New York Times - Travel

"Lean down the mountain and bend your knees," I say to her, trying to remember how to do it myself.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Two-part question: Are you the one doing the "lean-down" when you kiss?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lean down" to describe a deliberate action of bending or inclining your body or part of your body downward, often to interact with something or someone at a lower level.

Common error

Avoid using "lean down" when a more precise verb like "bend", "stoop", or "crouch" would better describe the specific type of downward movement. Ensure the context clearly indicates a deliberate action rather than a passive inclination.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "lean down" functions primarily as a dynamic verb, describing a physical action. Ludwig confirms its active usage. It illustrates the act of bending or inclining one's body in a downward direction, often to interact with something or someone at a lower level.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

32%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lean down" is a very common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe the action of bending or inclining one's body downwards. Ludwig's AI confirms its active use across various contexts, mainly in News & Media and Wiki sources, and its purpose is primarily to facilitate interaction or access to something below. While neutral in register, it is best used to describe a deliberate action, and writers should be mindful of choosing more precise verbs when a specific type of downward movement is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bend down

Similar to "lean down", but emphasizes the bending action.

bend over

Implies a more pronounced bending motion at the waist.

stoop down

Suggests lowering the body, often to pick something up.

duck down

Implies a rapid lowering of the head or body to avoid something.

dip down

Suggests a quick, downward movement.

bow down

Indicates a more formal or reverential lowering of the head and body.

incline

A more formal term for bending or tilting.

lower oneself

A more general way to describe reducing one's height.

descend

Formal term for moving or sloping downward.

come down

A generic term which indicates change of position.

FAQs

How to use "lean down" in a sentence?

Use "lean down" to describe the action of bending or inclining downward. For example: "I had to "lean down" to hear what she was whispering" or "She would "lean down" to pet the dog".

What can I say instead of "lean down"?

You can use alternatives like "bend over", "stoop down", or "bend down" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "lean down" or "bend down"?

Both "lean down" and "bend down" are correct, but they imply slightly different actions. "Lean down" suggests a more gradual or partial lowering, while "bend down" suggests a more complete bending of the body.

Is "lean down" formal or informal?

"Lean down" is generally considered a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider a more precise or descriptive phrase depending on the situation.