nickel down

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The phrase "nickel down" is a colloquial expression and not technically correct English.
It is used mainly in speech and rarely used in writing. It means to pay a portion of money as a down payment. Example: "I can't afford to pay for the full amount for the car right now so I put a nickel down."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

At times, they have dipped below a nickel, down from a high of nearly $40 in 1999.

The New York Times

The Bagger was sort of excited about the "Crash" win because he was one of the few who put his nickel down on the film.

The New York Times

In fact, she said, "I'll put my nickel down: I don't think President Carter is going to die from melanoma".

Los Angeles Times

Metal prices weighed on the market, with nickel down nearly 9%.

The Guardian - Business

Mr Cutifani dramatically illustrated his case with a slide showing the fall in commodity prices this year, with nickel down 38 per cent, iron ore down 33 per cent, copper down 29 per cent and even diamonds down 15 per cent.

Independent

"The market now is dominated by momentum players who believe in nothing other than a nickel up or a nickel down if they short". Added Chernin: "The great value of Gordy is that he would give you insights that had no particular agenda other than what he thought was best for your company.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He was very stout at that weight, but Lewis struggled a bit in coverage and on nickel downs.

Huffington Post

Many base metals, such as copper and nickel, are down between 20% and 30% since the summer.

The Guardian - Business

But many base metals, such as copper and nickel, are down between 20% and 30% since the summer, and the same goes for the share prices of mining companies, sparking speculation there could be a wave of mergers and acquisitions in the pipeline.

The Guardian - Business

Our study shows that nickel could down-regulate expression of both bcl-2 and bcl-xL proteins.

Chemical Research in Toxicology

Prices of copper and nickel were also down.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nickel down", be aware that it's informal and may not be suitable for formal writing. In professional contexts, opt for phrases like "small down payment" or "token deposit".

Common error

Avoid using "nickel down" in formal or professional writing. It's more appropriate for casual conversations or informal contexts. Formal settings benefit from more precise and universally understood terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nickel down" functions as an idiomatic expression, often used colloquially to indicate contributing a very small amount, similar to making a minimal down payment or investment. This can be seen in examples where it represents a symbolic gesture rather than a substantial financial commitment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nickel down" is a colloquial term meaning to contribute a very small amount, often as a down payment. As Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical status is acceptable, though usage is primarily informal. While "nickel down" might not be suitable for formal writing, understanding its meaning is crucial for interpreting casual conversations and news articles. Remember to consider the context when using or interpreting "nickel down", and opt for more formal alternatives like "small down payment" in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small down payment

Replaces the colloquial "nickel" with a more standard term for a minimal deposit.

minimal initial investment

Formalizes the concept of a very small starting contribution.

token deposit

Highlights the symbolic rather than substantial nature of the payment.

nominal payment

Focuses on the payment being small in name only.

a bit off the price

Uses a more general phrase for subtracting a small amount from the total cost.

initial outlay

Refers to the initial cost but doesn't emphasize the low amount.

down to my last dime

Changes the monetary unit but keeps the sentiment of being nearly broke.

barely any money left

Shifts from a specific amount to a general state of financial scarcity.

scraping the bottom of the barrel

An idiom indicating a lack of resources, similar in spirit to being down to a nickel.

almost broke

Expresses being close to financial ruin, implying minimal resources.

FAQs

What does the phrase "nickel down" mean?

The phrase "nickel down" is an informal expression that typically means paying a very small amount, especially as a down payment or initial contribution. It implies the amount is almost negligible.

Is it correct to use "nickel down" in formal writing?

No, "nickel down" is considered colloquial and is best reserved for informal conversations. In formal writing, use phrases like "small down payment" or "minimal initial investment" instead.

What's the difference between "nickel down" and "penny down"?

Both "nickel down" and "penny down" suggest a very small amount, but "nickel down" implies a slightly larger sum than "penny down". However, the distinction is often negligible, and they can be used interchangeably in many contexts.

Can I use "nickel down" to describe a significant financial contribution?

No, the phrase "nickel down" is specifically used to describe a minimal or almost insignificant payment. If the financial contribution is substantial, it's more appropriate to use terms like "significant investment" or "large down payment".