scale it back

USAGE SUMMARY

"scale it back" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to reduce or decrease something, often in size or scope. It can be used in various contexts when talking about making something smaller or more manageable. Example: After realizing the budget was too high, the project manager had to make the difficult decision to scale it back in order to stay within budget constraints. Example: Instead of expanding the business too quickly, the CEO decided to scale it back and focus on one market at a time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Behind closed doors during their most recent meeting, members of the Federal Reserve grappled with whether they should expand a crucial program aimed at loosening credit markets, or begin to scale it back as the economy clawed its way back from recession.

The New York Times

Since early 2011, the House has voted more than 35 times to repeal all or part of the law, to scale it back, or to cut financing for its operation.

The New York Times

If so, maybe I should scale it back".

The New Yorker

Emanuel wanted to scale it back almost to the vanishing point.

The New Yorker

"This idea worked," he said, adding, "So maybe we just need to scale it back".

The New York Times

The White House had supported the F.C.C. plan and had criticized efforts to scale it back.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The government managed to miss its revenue target for 2013 even after scaling it back twice, to just €1.3 billion.

The Economist

"But when the economy started changing, they scaled it back".

The New York Times

The federal government approved the proposal after Wisconsin scaled it back to 250percentt.

The New York Times

But when work on the project began two months ago, the administration had scaled it back.

The New York Times

By scaling it back we will be able to introduce a greater element of common sense.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scale it back", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being reduced or decreased. This will prevent ambiguity and make your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "scale it back" when you actually intend to completely eliminate something. The phrase implies a reduction, not a total removal. Using alternatives like "eliminate it" or "remove it" may be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scale it back" is that of a phrasal verb. As Ludwig AI points out, it is used to describe the act of reducing the size, extent, or intensity of something. It involves an action (scaling) directed towards an object (it) and further defined by a particle (back).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scale it back" is a commonly used phrasal verb that means to reduce the size, extent, or intensity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase is generally neutral in formality, alternatives like "reduce it" or "decrease it" might be preferred in more formal settings. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce it

A more direct and general term for decreasing something.

decrease it

Similar to "reduce it" but emphasizes a gradual decline.

cut it down

Suggests a more forceful or abrupt reduction.

downsize it

Implies reducing the size or scale of something, often in a business context.

retrench it

Suggests a withdrawal or contraction, often in response to financial difficulties.

curtail it

Indicates limiting or restricting something.

diminish it

Highlights a gradual lessening or weakening.

pare it down

Emphasizes removing unnecessary elements to achieve a leaner version.

roll it back

Reverses or undoes a previous increase or expansion.

wind it down

Implies a gradual cessation or termination of an activity or operation.

FAQs

What does "scale it back" mean?

"Scale it back" means to reduce the size, extent, or intensity of something. It implies making something smaller or less ambitious than originally planned.

How can I use "scale it back" in a sentence?

You can use "scale it back" in a sentence like this: "Due to budget cuts, we had to scale the project back significantly." or "The company decided to scale it back its expansion plans because of the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "scale it back"?

Some alternatives to "scale it back" include "reduce it", "decrease it", "cut it down", or "downsize it". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is "scale it back" formal or informal?

"Scale it back" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both professional and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly formal settings.