lower thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lower thing" is grammatically correct but may not be commonly used in written English.
It can be used when referring to an object or concept that is physically or metaphorically lower in position or status compared to something else. Example: "In the hierarchy of the organization, the lower thing is often overlooked by management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Opposing a policy is one thing; threatening the beneficiaries of that policy is another, lower thing entirely.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The director, Steve McQueen, has his mind on lower things, and they furnish him with all the dirt he needs.

The New Yorker

Every time I think this is really as bad as it can get, I am surprised at how much lower things can sink.

The Guardian

(Despite the lofty sentiments, he shopped the work around the courts of Europe. He needed the money. "We are sometimes obliged to give our attention to lower things," he wrote a friend. "This too is a part of human destiny". Louis XVIII of France gave him a 225-gram gold medal).

The New York Times - Arts

That's the number of majors Federer had played without winning one, over three calendar years, a drought of enough length and severity to build fears among even loyal fans that the man we'd dubbed the greatest ever had lost a step, or that — let's lower things to a whisper now — perhaps his steps hadn't been as nimble as Nadal's or Djokovic's to begin with.

The New Yorker

"The lower things go, the more interesting things get," he said.

Forbes

"Definitely as a Republican woman my bar has become very low on how the party uses women as a means to an end, every time I think they can't get lower, things likes this happen," Lim said.

Huffington Post

But there is evidence that storminess at lower latitudes another thing that is expected to increase in a warming world will make stable polar vortices less common.

Science Magazine

Lower down, things tilt in the other direction.

The New Yorker

"We had penetrating injuries to the abdomen, traumatic injuries to the lower extremities, things we see pretty often.

The New York Times

By the time they came down out of the mountain pass, crossed the New Mexico line, and hit the lower elevations, things had switched around.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lower thing", ensure the context clearly establishes what it is being compared to for effective communication. If the context is unclear, consider using alternatives such as "lesser item" or "minor aspect".

Common error

Avoid using "lower thing" in highly formal or academic writing; it may come across as too informal or vague. Opt for more precise and descriptive alternatives like "inferior component" or "subordinate element" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lower thing" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a complement. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes something of reduced importance or status compared to another entity. The available examples show instances where it signifies a lesser priority or aspect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lower thing" is a grammatically correct but infrequent expression used to denote something of lesser importance, value, or status. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While typically found in news and media contexts, it's advisable to use more precise alternatives like "lesser item" or "minor aspect" in formal or academic writing to ensure clarity and maintain a professional tone. As it is a relatively vague phrase, carefully consider your audience and the desired level of formality when choosing to use "lower thing" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lesser item

Replaces "thing" with "item" to emphasize the object's reduced value or significance.

inferior object

Uses "inferior" to directly convey a lower quality or status.

minor aspect

Focuses on the reduced importance of a particular aspect or detail.

secondary concern

Highlights the reduced priority of a concern or issue.

smaller element

Emphasizes the reduced size or scope of an element.

subordinate matter

Highlights the secondary or dependent nature of the matter.

less significant detail

Focuses on the reduced importance and specificity of a detail.

lower priority

Directly indicates a reduced level of importance or urgency.

negligible entity

Emphasizes the insignificance or unimportance of an entity.

reduced element

Indicates an element that has been made smaller or less significant.

FAQs

What does "lower thing" mean?

The phrase "lower thing" generally refers to something that is considered of less importance, value, or status compared to something else. Its precise meaning depends heavily on the context in which it is used.

When is it appropriate to use "lower thing" in writing?

The phrase "lower thing" is best used in informal contexts where a direct, if somewhat vague, comparison is acceptable. In formal or academic writing, more precise terms like "lesser item" or "minor aspect" are usually more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "lower thing"?

Depending on the specific context, alternatives to "lower thing" might include "inferior object", "secondary concern", or "smaller element". The best choice will depend on the nuance you wish to convey.

How can I use "lower thing" in a sentence?

You can use "lower thing" in a sentence to refer to something of lesser importance, such as: "In his priorities, family was always the higher thing, while career was the lower thing."