strip down

USAGE SUMMARY

"strip down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe taking something apart to its components, such as an engine, or to describe removing clothing. For example: I had to strip down the engine to reach the faulty part. OR She slowly began to strip down as she got ready for bed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Should they strip down their programs?

The New York Times

It's good to strip down and not be cool.

The New York Times

And New Yorkers and Bostonians strip down and sweat.

The New York Times

For the coda, they strip down and revert to being screens for more projections.

The New York Times - Arts

I had a sudden urge to strip down and join him in my bra and panties.

The New Yorker

(Performers will strip down to "G-strings and pasties only," the show's press representative said).

The New York Times

Somehow, Motorola has managed to strip down this phone without actually simplifying it.

The New York Times - Tech

"When it's hot, people like to strip down to practically nothing," she said.

The New York Times

At some points during photoshoots when I'm asked to strip down, I felt that".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's time for the annual strip-down that spells summer.

The New York Times

Lisa Cavaliere, a chiropractor in Mount Kisco, confines her strip-down to her feet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strip down" in technical contexts, ensure clarity about what is being disassembled or simplified. Specify the object or process being acted upon for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "strip down" in highly formal documents where more precise or technical language might be more appropriate. Opt for terms like "reduce", "simplify", or "disassemble" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "strip down" is a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "strip" with the particle "down" to create a new meaning, indicating either the removal of clothing or the reduction of something to its essential components. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing examples of both meanings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

21%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strip down" is a common phrasal verb with two primary meanings: to remove clothing and to reduce something to its essential elements. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability. This phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Wiki contexts and carries a neutral to informal tone. While versatile, writers should consider the context and choose more precise language for formal settings. Alternatives like "undress", "disrobe", or "simplify" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undress

Focuses specifically on the act of removing clothing.

disrobe

A more formal or literary term for removing clothing.

take apart

Implies disassembling something, often a mechanical object, into its constituent pieces.

pare down

Suggests reducing something to its essential elements, often in a figurative sense.

simplify

Highlights the act of making something less complex or intricate.

reduce

Indicates lessening the quantity, size, or intensity of something.

dismantle

Implies taking something apart systematically and carefully.

cut back

Suggests reducing expenses or consumption.

streamline

Focuses on improving efficiency by removing unnecessary elements.

get naked

Directly means to become nude.

FAQs

How can I use "strip down" in a sentence?

You can use "strip down" to mean removing clothing, as in "He decided to strip down before jumping in the pool". Alternatively, it can mean to reduce to essentials, such as "The company had to strip down its operations to survive".

What is a good alternative to "strip down" when referring to clothing?

If you mean removing clothing, consider using "undress" or "disrobe" for a more formal tone.

When is it appropriate to use "strip down" instead of "simplify"?

"Strip down" is suitable when emphasizing a complete or drastic reduction, whereas "simplify" implies making something easier to understand or use without necessarily removing core components.

Can "strip down" be used in a business context?

Yes, "strip down" can be used in a business context to describe reducing operations or expenses. For example: "To stay afloat, the business needed to strip down its budget".