shrink out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrink out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone disappearing or leaving a place quickly and quietly. For example, "The man opened the door and then quickly shrank out of sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"You can grow out of excessive debt, you cannot shrink out of excessive debt".

The Guardian - Business

Even America is not an optimal currency zone; its regions sometimes boom or shrink out of sync with the rest of the economy.

The Economist

In making the announcement, scientists were quick to add that the Moon has not shrunk by much, that the shrinking may have occurred over a billion years, and that the Moon will not shrink out of view in the future.

The New York Times - Science

Why, then, do prokaryotic genomes not shrink out of existence?

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The law also offers cost-sharing reductions to the lowest-income enrollees that shrink out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copayments.

Huffington Post

If there is prior belief for a regulatory interaction, then corresponds to less shrinkage being incurred on the corresponding, hence making it more likely that this parameter is not shrunk out of the model.

Bioinformatics

The shrink stubbed out her second cigarette and smoothed out her dress, which had rumpled when she leaned forward.

Vice

Those firms with big enough buffers to absorb the hit to profits will win.Even so, some firms with large funding gaps may prove unviable they will have to shrink, sell out or break themselves up.

The Economist

The shrink pulled out a face that seemed to mean, How depressing, but there you go.

Vice

"People who feel angry often want to hit back," the shrink pointed out, "but not to die".

Vice

The Affordable Care Act includes cost-sharing reductions for low-income families that shrink their out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copayments, and the federal government is supposed to reimburse insurers for the lost money.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shrink out" to vividly describe a rapid or subtle disappearance. This phrase is particularly effective in narrative contexts to convey a sense of swift retreat or vanishing.

Common error

Avoid using "shrink out" in formal or professional writing where more precise or conventional terms like "decrease", "recede", or "disappear" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shrink out" is that of a phrasal verb. It describes an action, often implying a subtle or rapid disappearance or reduction. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it can refer to physical shrinking or metaphorical withdrawal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shrink out" is a phrasal verb that describes a rapid or subtle disappearance or reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although its usage is relatively rare. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it's considered informal and best suited for descriptive writing rather than formal or academic settings. If a more formal tone is needed, consider alternatives such as "fade away", "disappear", or "slip away".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappear

Denotes a complete loss of visibility or existence, akin to a rapid and total shrinking out.

evaporate

Signifies a complete and often sudden disappearance, similar to shrinking out without a trace.

fade away

Implies a gradual disappearance or loss of visibility, similar to shrinking out of sight.

slip away

Suggests a quiet or unnoticed departure, much like shrinking out of a situation discreetly.

recede

Suggests a movement away or a reduction in prominence, implying a shrinking back or withdrawal.

melt away

Conveys a gradual disappearance or reduction, often used in contexts of emotions or anxieties.

dwindle

Indicates a gradual decrease in size or amount, comparable to a slow and steady shrinking process.

wane

Implies a decline in power, influence, or extent, analogous to shrinking in importance.

diminish

Represents a general reduction in size, extent, or degree, similar to shrinking but without the 'out' component.

contract

Denotes a reduction in size or scope, often used in a more technical or formal context.

FAQs

How can I use "shrink out" in a sentence?

You can use "shrink out" to describe a quick and often subtle disappearance or retreat. For instance, "Seeing the confrontation escalate, he quietly shrank out of the room."

What's a good alternative to "shrink out"?

Alternatives include "fade away", "disappear", or "slip away", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "shrink out" formal or informal?

"Shrink out" is generally considered informal. More formal alternatives like "recede" or "diminish" might be better suited for professional or academic writing.

When is it appropriate to use "shrink out"?

It's appropriate in descriptive writing or informal contexts where you want to emphasize a quick or subtle departure. It's less suitable for formal reports or academic papers.