race down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "race down" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a quick or rapid movement or action downwards. Example: The skiers raced down the steep slope, their skis carving through the fresh powder.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Race down to Kicking Horse.

The New York Times - Travel

Cars race down Flushing Avenue, leaving buzzing reverberations.

The New York Times - Arts

Plus, she'd be letting her race down.

The New Yorker

In Athens alone, swarms of scooters race down crowded sidewalks.

The New York Times

The waves then race down the wire, shaking the geophones.

The New York Times - Tech

That has some insiders talking about the next race down — the one for lieutenant governor.

The New York Times

At Carnegie Hall, ushers zealously race down the aisles to berate any device-toting offenders publicly.

The New York Times - Arts

Jakub Blaszczykowski finished at the end of the race down the length of the field.

The New York Times - Sports

It ended up being a nice race down the lane with the horse on the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

The brothers would play loud music and race down the roads near the slum.

The New York Times

Three more times, we repeated our trudge up the temple and our race down.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative verbs like "speed", "dash", or "hurry" if the competitive aspect is not essential. For example, instead of "They raced down the stairs", try "They hurried down the stairs" to focus on the speed of the movement.

Common error

Avoid using "race down" to describe purely horizontal or abstract competitive situations. While it can metaphorically apply to concluding a process quickly, its primary meaning relates to physical downward movement. Instead, consider using a term that more precisely reflects the nature of the race, such as "compete" or "vie for".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "race down" primarily functions as a dynamic descriptor, vividly portraying a subject's swift, often competitive, movement from a higher to a lower position. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

20%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "race down" is a dynamic and versatile expression, predominantly used to describe a swift and often competitive movement from a higher to a lower position. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it finds frequent application in news, travel, and sports contexts, as well as proving suitable across registers, maintaining a generally neutral tone. When choosing "race down", bear in mind that it is typically used when both speed and directionality are important and keep in mind alternatives like "speed down", "dash down" or "hurry down".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speed down

Emphasizes the high speed of the downward movement, focusing on velocity rather than competition.

dash down

Highlights a quick and hurried movement downwards, often implying urgency.

hurry down

Similar to dash down, but with a slightly less intense implication of speed.

tear down

Implies a very rapid and possibly uncontrolled movement downwards, suggesting potential recklessness.

fly down

Suggests a swift and almost effortless descent, often used metaphorically.

plunge down

Describes a steep and rapid descent, often used in the context of landscapes or objects falling.

streak down

Focuses on the visual aspect of a fast movement, like a streak of light.

bolt down

Conveys a sudden and quick movement downwards, suggesting surprise or urgency.

career downward

Indicates a rapid decline or progression towards a negative outcome.

rush to a conclusion

Implies a rapid and possibly hasty conclusion to a process or event.

FAQs

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

"Race down" is used to describe moving rapidly in a downward direction. For example, "The children raced down the hill" or "The water raced down the streambed".

What can I say instead of "race down"?

You can use alternatives like "speed down", "dash down", or "hurry down" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "race down" or "race up"?

"Race down" implies movement in a downward direction, while "race up" implies movement in an upward direction. The correct choice depends on the direction of the movement you're describing.

What's the difference between "race down" and "run down"?

"Race down" suggests a rapid, competitive descent, while "run down" can mean to collide with something while running, to degrade, or to trace. The phrases have distinct meanings.