skim down

USAGE SUMMARY

"skim down" is not a correct phrase in written English.
To use an example of a valid phrase, you could use "skim through" or "skim quickly over". For example, you might say "I quickly skimmed through the document for the important information."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

You'll have to skim down to find Sofia Coppola and Kathryn Bigelow.

The Guardian - Film

Readers who do not at first find what they are seeking are therefore advised to skim down before giving up, to see whether this is provided later.

SEP

In addition, the low maintenance, HOV lanes can certainly skim down on added costs, among other perks.

HuffPost

A skim down the list shows a range of games.

The Guardian - Sport

Facilities are basic but spotless, staff are helpful and the beach is half a pebble's skim down wooden steps.

The Guardian - Travel

From the moment the speed-blurred blue dragonfly began to skim down the Thames watershed, a dizzying array of connections formed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Or a whole day skimming down pistes, traversing mogul fields and schussing across high mountain plains?

The Guardian - Travel

_" she repeated angrily, and then shied the book violently into a bush, where it skimmed down between two wild roses and perched disconsolately among the roots.

The New Yorker

On the large TV screens fastened to the restaurant's brick walls surfers skimmed down giant waves off Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia.

The New Yorker

It got its name in the early 1900s from two-time Open champion Willie Park Jr., who described it in a magazine article as "a pitching surface skimmed down to the size of a postage stamp".

Los Angeles Times

Sometimes the best thing to do with a venerable house is to skim it down to the fundamentals and build from there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey quick reading or reviewing, consider using more standard phrases like "skim through" or "scan quickly". This ensures clarity and avoids potential grammatical concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "skim down" when you mean to quickly review or read something. The more appropriate phrase is "skim through". For example, say "I skimmed through the report" instead of "I skimmed down the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skim down" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, often used to describe the action of moving quickly downwards or superficially examining something. Ludwig AI notes that it's not a standard phrase; "skim through" is preferred for reading contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "skim down" appears in various online sources, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not a standard or entirely grammatically correct phrase. The examples show it used in contexts ranging from quickly looking at lists to describing movement. For clarity and correctness, particularly in formal writing, alternatives like "skim through" or "scan quickly" are recommended. Despite appearing in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, its frequency is relatively low, suggesting it's not a common expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scan down

Refers to quickly looking over a list or text, similar to "skim down" when referring to reading.

browse down

Suggests a more leisurely and less focused approach to looking through something, compared to a quick skim.

travel down

Emphasizes the movement along something, like a path or road, rather than a quick look.

walk down

Similar to 'travel down' but specifically refers to walking.

navigate down

Indicates a deliberate and guided movement downwards or through something.

go down

A general phrase indicating downward movement, lacking the specificity of "skim".

fly down

Indicates movement through the air to a lower position.

wander down

Suggests a casual and undirected movement downwards.

swim down

Refers to descending in water.

hike down

To walk down a mountain, steep hill, or other incline.

FAQs

How can I use "skim through" in a sentence?

You can use "skim through" to describe quickly reading or reviewing something. For example, "I "skimmed through" the document to get the main points".

What is a better alternative to "skim down"?

Consider using phrases like "scan quickly", "skim through", or "browse through" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

When is it appropriate to use "skim" in a sentence?

Use "skim" to mean reading something quickly or to remove a substance from the surface of a liquid. For instance, "I "skimmed" the article" or "skim the fat off the soup".

Which is correct, "skim through" or "skim down"?

"Skim through" is generally considered the correct and more standard phrase for describing quick reading. "Skim down" is less common and may not be grammatically correct in all contexts.