slim margins

USAGE SUMMARY

'slim margins' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to reference a situation in which the amount of something is very small or there is very little room for error. For example, "With such slim margins for profits, the company was forced to reduce its prices to remain competitive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Slim margins historically kept competition at bay.

The Economist

European competition is defined by slim margins.

Independent

These two seats are held on slim margins.

The Guardian

At the highest level, such slim margins are usually enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Medical practices are now working with very slim margins.

The New York Times

Slim margins in a few crucial states produce mean campaigns.

The New York Times

But Andorra's ski entrepreneurs were unhappy with the slim margins of low-cost skiing.

Independent

Medicine's only distinction is that lives are lost in those slim margins.

The New Yorker

The Gancia brand is popular in Italy but faces slim margins and weak growth.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

That measure passed by a slim margin.

The New York Times

"It's slim margin," Mr. Seabrook said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial performance, use "slim margins" to clearly indicate that a company or project has little buffer for unexpected costs or revenue shortfalls.

Common error

Avoid using "slim margins" interchangeably with terms like "revenue" or "net income". "Slim margins" specifically refer to the difference between revenue and costs, indicating profitability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slim margins" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "slim" modifies the noun "margins". It is used to describe a situation where the difference between revenue and costs is very small, leaving little room for error or unexpected expenses. Ludwig provides many examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slim margins" is a common and correct way to describe situations with low profitability or little room for error. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from reputable sources across News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. Its usage conveys a sense of financial vulnerability, and it's essential to use it accurately to avoid confusion with other financial metrics. When writing, use "slim margins" to effectively communicate that even small changes could significantly impact financial stability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thin profit margins

Uses "thin" as a direct synonym for "slim".

narrow profit margins

Replaces "slim" with "narrow", emphasizing the limited profitability.

tight operating margins

Focuses on the operational aspect of the small differences.

razor-thin margins

Emphasizes the extreme thinness of the margins.

meager profit margins

Highlights the insufficiency or lack of abundance in the margins.

marginal profits

Indicates that the profits are just barely sufficient.

limited margins for error

Shifts the focus to the lack of room for mistakes.

slight competitive advantage

Highlights a small lead in a competitive situation.

close financial tolerances

Emphasizes the strict limits within financial parameters.

delicate balance sheets

Focuses on the precarious financial state.

FAQs

How can I use "slim margins" in a sentence?

You can use "slim margins" to describe a situation where there is very little profit or tolerance for error. For example, "The business operates on "slim margins" due to high operating costs".

What's a good alternative to "slim margins"?

Alternatives include "narrow margins", "tight margins", or "thin margins", depending on the specific context.

In what situations is "slim margins" most appropriately used?

"Slim margins" is commonly used in financial or business contexts to describe situations where profitability is low or there is little room for error in calculations or operations.

Is "slim margins" formal or informal language?

"Slim margins" is considered neutral to formal language and can be used in professional reports, news articles, and academic papers.