steal down

USAGE SUMMARY

'steal down' is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
Depending on context, similar phrases might be used, such as 'creep down', 'slink down', or 'tiptoe down'. Example: She stole down the stairs, keeping her footsteps quiet so as not to wake her parents.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sport

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He scored 5 points and made a steal down the stretch to help the Nets avoid defeat.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The kitchen was stolen, down to the ground.

The New Yorker

Corruption at the highest levels provides cover for stealing down the line.

The Economist

Fourteen prefab buildings that have been stolen down to the foundations".

The New Yorker

"While Gissing has three, plus all the others he's stolen down the years?" Mike nodded.

The New York Times - Magazine

Last year, about 2,400 cars were reported stolen, down from 4,000 in 1997.

The New York Times

But that night the woman stole down to the kitchen where she fed the creature some milk.

The New Yorker

New Year's Day has a way of stealing down upon us, coming in the shadow of the Christmas week and its own scintillating eve.

The New York Times

By E. B. White The New Yorker, June 23 , 1934P. 9 Owning no radio, we stole down into the garden of our apartment house, and there sitting on a stone bench, heard the fight coming from the radio in the ground-floor apartmment of a lady whose windows were open.

The New Yorker

Not one house owned by a Christian in Mosul was not taken over and looted by IS members, and all their belongings stolen, down to the last broomstick.

BBC

The morning after my release, Mohammed Ali took me on a walk around the abandoned Old City, an evocative labyrinth of covered walkways, illuminated by shafts of sunlight stealing down between the tightly clustered mud-brick houses.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "steal down" with more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "creep down" or "sneak down" for clarity and better reception.

Common error

Avoid using "steal down" in formal contexts. It may sound awkward or incorrect to native English speakers. Choose more conventional phrases to maintain professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steal down" is not considered standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that it is "not a correct or usable phrase in written English." It attempts to convey a sense of quiet, secretive movement in a downward direction, but its grammatical function is dubious.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sport

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "steal down" might intuitively suggest moving quietly or secretly to a lower place, it is not a standard or grammatically sound English expression. According to Ludwig, it is "not a correct or usable phrase in written English". Because of its awkwardness and the availability of better alternatives, it's generally best to use phrases like "creep down", "sneak down" or "slink down". While occasional uses may appear in news or informal contexts, it remains a rare and potentially confusing choice for most writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creep down

Emphasizes quiet and stealthy movement downwards, differing from "steal down" which is less common.

slink down

Suggests a furtive or secretive movement downwards, unlike the more general sense in "steal down".

tiptoe down

Highlights careful and quiet steps downwards, a specific manner of movement not necessarily implied by "steal down".

sneak down

Implies moving downwards secretly or without permission, differing slightly in connotation from "steal down".

slide down

Focuses on a smooth, continuous descent, whereas "steal down" can imply a more deliberate action.

drift down

Conveys a gentle, unhurried descent, contrasting with any potential urgency in "steal down".

glide down

Indicates a smooth and effortless descent, a different nuance than "steal down".

float down

Suggests a weightless descent, whereas "steal down" implies a physical action.

edge down

Focuses on cautious and gradual movement downwards, differing from the broader meaning of "steal down".

ease down

Implies a slow and gentle lowering, which is distinct from the possible connotations of "steal down".

FAQs

Is "steal down" grammatically correct?

The phrase "steal down" is not considered a standard or widely accepted grammatical construction in English. While it may appear in some contexts, it's often better to use alternatives like "creep down" or "sneak down".

What does "steal down" mean?

The intended meaning of "steal down" typically involves moving quietly or secretly downwards. However, due to its non-standard usage, it can be unclear and is best avoided in favor of more precise alternatives.

What can I say instead of "steal down"?

You can use alternatives such as "creep down", "slink down", or "tiptoe down" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "steal down"?

Given that "steal down" is not a standard phrase, it's generally advisable to avoid it in formal or professional writing. In creative writing, it might be used sparingly for stylistic effect, but more common alternatives are usually preferable.