slash by half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slash by half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to reducing something, such as a quantity or cost, by fifty percent. Example: "To cut costs, we decided to slash by half the budget for the marketing campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The same day, the casino operator Macau Legend Development announced it would slash by half an I.P.O. that had planned to raise nearly $800 million.

The New York Times

Other provisions would slash by half the budget of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was set up after the financial meltdown to protect consumers from predatory lending and other abuses, and reduce the pay of federal workers.

The New York Times

But the House of Representatives attempted to slash by half the $54 million proposed budget for JLENS in this year's National Defense Authorization Act.

Los Angeles Times

But the Guatemala center has suffered significant budget cuts since 2010, forcing Peruski to slash by half the staff of its flagship Field Epidemiology Training Program.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The estimates should have been slashed by half.

The New York Times - Arts

JPMorgan Chase, for example, has already slashed by half the value of its $1.2 billion holdings of the preferred shares.

The New York Times

Couple that with having your budget slashed by half and losing more than half your staff and the job became an even greater challenge.

The Guardian - Opinion

A tour guide, his work slashed by half since Sept. 11, bantered with a group that came by bus from Minnesota.

The New York Times

For instance, 45percentt of Turkey's workforce is engaged in farming, a number that must be slashed by half or more to be competitive.

The New York Times

But in October the government suddenly announced the FiT would soon be slashed by half from December, throwing their plan into uncertainty.

The Guardian

However, he expressed concern that the increase in the take-up of academic subjects did not extend to modern foreign languages - where the numbers opting for them have been slashed by half over a decade.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slash by half" when you want to emphasize a significant and sudden reduction. This phrase is suitable for conveying a sense of urgency or drastic change, especially in journalistic or informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "slash by half" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral and precise alternatives like "reduce by 50 percent" or "decrease by half" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slash by half" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a significant reduction in quantity or value. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts involving budget cuts, staff reductions, and economic forecasts. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slash by half" is a verbal phrase used to describe a significant reduction of 50 percent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While grammatically sound, it is best suited for news reporting or informal communication, and should be used sparingly in formal or scientific contexts. Alternatives like "reduce by 50 percent" or "decrease by half" provide a more neutral and professional tone. Overall, "slash by half" effectively conveys a sense of urgency or the drastic nature of a reduction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce by 50 percent

Replaces the idiomatic "slash" with a more literal and precise description of the reduction.

cut in half

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea, suitable for informal contexts.

halve

A concise and formal way to indicate a reduction to half the original amount.

decrease by half

A more formal and less emphatic alternative to "slash".

trim by 50%

Uses "trim" to suggest a slight reduction, instead of a more drastic "slash".

downsize by 50 percent

Implies a reduction in size or scope, rather than just a numerical decrease.

scale down by half

Focuses on reducing the scale or extent of something.

mark down by 50%

Suggests a price reduction, typically in a retail context.

lower by 50 percent

A general term for reduction, applicable to various contexts.

dwindle by 50%

Implies a gradual reduction, often due to external factors.

FAQs

What does "slash by half" mean?

The phrase "slash by half" means to reduce something by 50 percent, effectively cutting it in half.

When is it appropriate to use "slash by half"?

It's appropriate to use "slash by half" when emphasizing a significant or abrupt reduction, often in news reporting or less formal contexts. More formal alternatives include "reduce by 50 percent" or "decrease by half".

Are there any synonyms for "slash by half"?

Yes, you can use synonyms such as "cut in half", "halve", or "reduce by 50 percent" depending on the context.

Is "slash by half" considered formal or informal?

"Slash by half" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "reduce by half" or "decrease by 50 percent".