trail down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trail down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that gradually decreases or diminishes, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The sound of the music began to trail down as the sun set over the horizon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

He'd powered up to a high-altitude ridge and was gazing, less than eagerly, at the trail down toward the backcountry yurt where he and two fellow pro riders were camped for the week.

The New Yorker

And if our stock did trail down, then the price of the deal would have trailed down with it.

Forbes

For hiking: In the secluded Pololu Valley in North Kohala, walkers follow the trail down from the cliffs into a dense forest before hiking past waterfalls and black-sand beaches.

BBC

Wires trail down crumbling walls.

The New York Times

And there was a trail down into the shifting, boiling inferno.

The New York Times

To reach it, you follow a steep trail down on to the sand.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Follow the signed Yahi Trail down-creek under a canopy of cottonwood and oak.

Los Angeles Times

Thus, TRAIL down-regulation may allow clonal expansion of transformed cells by protecting them from apoptosis, thereby increasing the risk of malignant progression.

BMC Cancer

Admire firm lines trailing down his brow, reaching jutting jaw.

Princeton University

The top of another looked like a bouquet of yellow roses, with thick green fringe trailing down as their stems.

The New York Times

ON a wintry night early this month, a line of hardy people trailed down West 65th Street outside the Juilliard School.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical path or route, use "trail down" to convey a sense of following a course from a higher to a lower elevation or position. For example, "The path trails down the mountainside."

Common error

Avoid using "trail down" when describing abstract concepts that do not involve a physical path or route. For example, instead of saying "His enthusiasm trailed down after the initial excitement", consider alternatives like "waned" or "diminished".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "trail down" primarily functions as a directional verb, indicating movement from a higher to a lower point along a specific path or route. This is evident in examples from Ludwig, where the phrase describes paths and trails physically descending.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trail down" is a versatile phrasal verb primarily used to describe a physical path descending from a higher to a lower point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, ranging from news media to academic texts. While generally neutral in tone, its use is most effective when describing tangible, directional movements rather than abstract concepts. Remember to reserve "trail down" for scenarios involving physical routes or gradual descents, and opt for alternatives like ""decline"" or ""fade away"" when referring to abstract decreases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descend

Focuses solely on the act of moving downwards, omitting the sense of following or gradual decline.

slope down

Emphasizes the angle of descent, which is more suitable for physical landscapes or gradients.

lead down

Highlights the aspect of guidance or direction towards a lower point, excluding a gradual decline.

move down

A more generic term for downward movement, lacking the specific imagery associated with "trail down".

go down

Simple and direct, indicates a downward direction without implying a path or following.

wind down

Implies a gradual reduction in activity or intensity, but it is not necessarily associated with downward movement.

fade away

Refers to a gradual disappearance or weakening, which is applicable to sounds or images but not physical paths.

taper off

Suggests a gradual decrease in size or amount, applicable to trends or physical objects.

decline

Focuses on a reduction in quality or quantity, suitable for abstract concepts rather than physical trails.

drop off

Conveys a decrease or reduction, often sudden, which differs from the gradual implication of "trail down".

FAQs

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

You can use "trail down" to describe a path or route that descends, such as "The hiking "trail leads down" to the river" or to describe something that gradually diminishes, like "Her voice "began to fade away" as she walked away".

What's the difference between "trail down" and "descend"?

"Trail down" typically implies a path or route that is being followed as it goes downward, while "descend" is a more general term for moving downward. For instance, you might say "The river "descends" rapidly through the valley", but "The hiking trail "trails down" to the waterfall".

When should I use "fade away" instead of "trail down"?

Use "fade away" when describing something that gradually disappears or weakens, such as a sound or memory. "Trail down" is more appropriate for physical paths or routes. For example, "The music "faded away" as the concert ended", whereas "The path "trails down" the hillside".

What are some alternatives to "trail down" for describing a decrease?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "decline", "diminish", "taper off", or "fade away". For example, instead of saying "Support for the policy trailed down", you could say "Support for the policy "declined"".