to trickle off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to trickle off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual decrease or reduction in something, such as a flow or quantity. Example: "As the sun began to set, the crowd at the festival started to trickle off, leaving the area quieter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Maybe that's starting to trickle off".

The New York Times

Yellow-bodied Ceratopsyche sedges have begun to trickle off in modest numbers, but fish are still not taking them well, and the yellow-bodied Ephemerella mayflies called Pale Evening Duns have not yet arrived.

The New York Times - Sports

Note that local skiers begin to trickle off the slopes at noon, congregating around the mountain restaurants for lazy afternoons lunching on local specialities such as cured meats, chestnut-stuffed pasta, or tigelle with lardo and parmigiano.

The Guardian - Travel

Unlike the interviews with Claude Lanzmann and George Steiner in "Explaining Hitler," these discussions are meandering, unfocused exercises; they serve up snippets of insight into Shakespeare's work only to trickle off into irrelevance.

The New York Times - Books

He allows many of his leads to trickle off inconclusively and declines to situate his plodding chronicle of day-to-day events within a larger political and cultural context.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The laconic Wadkins shrugged off the discouragement of a front nine in which he saw his ball twice trickle off the fairway into nearly unplayable rough.

The New York Times - Sports

The writer had always suspected Christmas in N.Y. to be principally a north-south phenomenon, with decorations trickling off to nothing on the side streets.

The New Yorker

Later we trickled off to the Gran Cafe de Paris for tea, past the homeless boys sniffing glue and the spontaneous eruptions of garbage that pock even the poshest neighborhoods.

The New York Times

Long after the publication of a book, when the royalties have trickled off to nothing & the last copy has disappeared from Brentano's there remains for the author little more than the comfort of visiting the circulation section of the nearest library, asking for his book, and checking to see whether anybody has taken it out lately.

The New Yorker

A heavy silence fell, lifting gradually to reveal bird calls in the distance, and the faint babble of countless tiny waterfalls trickling off ledges hundreds of feet above us, tripping down slopes blanketed with moss and ferns.

The New York Times - Travel

It trickled off the green 25 yards away.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to trickle off" when you want to convey a sense of something gradually diminishing or departing, often implying a gentle or unhurried process. It's suitable for describing the reduction of crowds, resources, or any diminishing flow.

Common error

Avoid using "to trickle off" in highly formal or technical writing where more precise language may be expected. Opt for alternatives like "decrease gradually" or "decline steadily" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "to trickle off" primarily functions as a descriptive verb, detailing a gradual reduction or departure. As evidenced by Ludwig, it indicates a slow and often gentle process of diminishing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "to trickle off" effectively conveys a gradual decrease or departure. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and best suited for contexts where a gentle and unhurried reduction is being described. While examples are rare, the phrase appears primarily in news and media sources. When greater formality is needed, alternatives like "gradually diminish" or "steadily decline" are recommended. Remember to utilize "to trickle off" when you aim to illustrate a slow, continuous reduction rather than a sudden drop.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to taper off

This implies a smooth and progressive decline, often used in the context of reducing activity or intensity.

to gradually diminish

This phrase emphasizes a slow and steady reduction in quantity or intensity.

to slowly decrease

This alternative focuses on the pace of the reduction, highlighting its slowness.

to peter out

This suggests a gradual fading away, often due to lack of resources or interest.

to dwindle away

This emphasizes the progressive loss of something until it almost disappears.

to fade away

Implies a gradual loss of visibility or audibility, or a decline in importance.

to die down

Refers to a decrease in intensity or activity, often used in the context of emotions or events.

to gradually depart

This alternative focuses specifically on the slow departure or leaving of individuals or elements.

to slowly ebb

Evokes the image of a tide receding, suggesting a slow and steady outflow.

to subside gradually

Focuses on the calming or lessening of something, such as a storm or a feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "to trickle off" in a sentence?

You can use "to trickle off" to describe a gradual decrease or departure. For example: "As the evening wore on, guests began "to trickle off"."

What are some alternatives to "to trickle off"?

Some alternatives to "to trickle off" include "to gradually diminish", "to taper off", or "to dwindle away".

Is it appropriate to use "to trickle off" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "to trickle off" might be perceived as informal in certain contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "decrease gradually" or "decline steadily" for professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "to trickle off" and "to drop off"?

"To trickle off" implies a slow and continuous decrease, while "to drop off" suggests a more sudden or immediate decline.