retire down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retire down" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers, as "retire" typically means to stop working or to withdraw, while "down" does not logically pair with it in this context. Example: "After years of hard work, I plan to retire down to a quieter place by the beach."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Then my mother says brightly, "I bet you can't wait to retire down here".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Only 17percentt of boomers surveyed were uncertain when they'd stop working and retire, down from 35percentt in 2011.

Huffington Post

"We had the intent to retire down there," Mrs. Brown said.

The New York Times

Orpik joked given Crosby's popularity in Canada, Crosby "probably wants to retire down here like Mario did," he said in reference to the Penguins' owner and great Mario Lemieux, who lives in the Pittsburgh area.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Felix Mantilla retired down by 6-7, 6-4, 4-1 in his match against fourth-seeded Roger Federer.

The New York Times - Sports

Against top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the final, Murray assumed control early and Djokovic retired down, 3-0, in the second set.

The New York Times - Sports

Mourinho had moved to shake hands with Blanc and those on his bench immediately after Pastore's reward before retiring down the tunnel with plenty to contemplate.

The Guardian - Sport

So, what happened to retiring down to the ranch?

Huffington Post

"Florida has always counted on a big chunk of the baby boomers retiring down here and buying property over the next 20 years," said Jack McCabe, a veteran Florida-based real estate analyst.

Huffington Post

DuPont's fleet had already retired down coast to Port Royal, however, and he was unable to obey the president's command.

The New York Times

Petkovic pulled out of Madrid before her second match because of illness, missed Rome, and retired down 0-5 in her first match in Nürnberg this week because of a thigh injury.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to retirement involving a geographical move, use clearer alternatives like "retire to" or "move down to retire" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "retire down" without specifying a location or context, as it can lead to confusion. Ensure your sentence clearly indicates where or what you are retiring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retire down" functions as a verb phrase, suggesting an action related to retirement. It often implies relocating to a specific place after retirement. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is not considered a standard expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retire down" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable expression that suggests the action of retiring, often coupled with relocating or reducing responsibilities. While it appears in various sources, including news and media, it lacks a clear and standard meaning, as Ludwig AI points out. For clarity and precision, it's generally advisable to use alternatives like "retire to" or "move down to retire". These alternatives offer more direct and easily understood ways to convey the intended meaning, avoiding potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retire to

This alternative implies moving to a specific location upon retirement.

move down to retire

This alternative suggests a relocation to retire.

retire and relocate

This focuses on the act of both retiring and moving.

step down

Focuses on ceasing current duties without specifying a location.

relocate for retirement

This alternative specifies that the purpose of the relocation is retirement.

retire to a lower position

This suggests stepping down from a higher rank to a lower rank.

retire and descend

This suggests to fall, go, or come down.

withdraw and move south

This suggests moving southward after retirement.

retire and decrease

This focuses on reducing or lessening one's activities after retirement.

retire to a smaller home

This suggests downsizing the house after retirement.

FAQs

Is "retire down" grammatically correct?

The phrase "retire down" is not considered grammatically standard. It's better to use clearer alternatives like "retire to" or "move down to retire" for better clarity.

What does "retire down" mean?

The meaning of "retire down" is ambiguous. It could imply moving to a lower geographical location or reducing one's responsibilities upon retirement. However, it's not a standard phrase, so using clearer alternatives is advisable.

How can I use "retire down" in a sentence correctly?

While not recommended, if you use "retire down", ensure the context is extremely clear. For example, you might say, "They plan to retire down to Florida." However, phrases like "retire to Florida" or "move down to retire in Florida" are more precise.

What are some alternatives to "retire down"?

Alternatives include "retire to", "move down to retire", "relocate for retirement", or simply "retire" depending on the context. Choose the phrase that best fits your intended meaning.