trickle out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trickle out" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to flow or come out slowly and steadily. Example: The information about the new product launch began to trickle out, creating buzz and anticipation among customers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A little after two in the morning, a few people started to trickle out, but still more trickled in.

The New Yorker

More trickle out every week.

The New York Times

As the details trickle out, the program looks like more of the disappointing same.

The New York Times

More information is likely to trickle out over the next few years.

The Economist

"But that information was just barely starting to trickle out," Dr. Rabins said.

The New York Times

Full results are expected to trickle out in the next few days.

The Economist

Names and information about other victims also started to trickle out Tuesday evening and Wednesday.

The Washington Post

Details about the identities of the victims continued to trickle out Monday.

The Washington Post

Earnings reports will start to trickle out toward the end of this week.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, local residents continued to trickle out as heavy fighting raged.

The New York Times

But the feeling takes a while to trickle out into the streets of a new city.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trickle out" to describe a gradual release or flow of information, people, or resources over time. It's effective when emphasizing the slow and steady nature of the process.

Common error

Don't use "trickle out" if you mean a rapid or immediate release. For instance, instead of saying "The news trickled out immediately after the event", use "The news was released immediately after the event".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trickle out" functions as an intransitive phrasal verb, indicating a gradual emission or release. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe a slow, steady flow of information, people, or things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trickle out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe a slow and gradual release or flow. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, primarily in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While generally neutral in register, consider alternatives like "emerge gradually" or "leak out" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoid using "trickle out" when describing rapid or immediate releases. The wealth of examples provided by Ludwig showcases the breadth of its application, from information dissemination to the movement of people and resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emerge gradually

Focuses on the slow appearance or revelation, rather than a physical outflow.

seep out

Suggests a slow, almost imperceptible release, often of liquids or secrets.

dribble out

Similar to trickle, but perhaps even slower and in smaller quantities.

leak out

Implies an unintentional or unauthorized release of information.

filter out

Describes a gradual separation or selection process resulting in a slow release.

come out in stages

Emphasizes the phased nature of the release.

be gradually revealed

Focuses on the progressive unveiling of something previously hidden.

be slowly disclosed

Highlights the unhurried pace of revealing information.

be released piecemeal

Suggests that information is released in small fragments over time.

unfold gradually

Indicates that something develops or becomes known slowly over a period.

FAQs

How can I use "trickle out" in a sentence?

Use "trickle out" to describe the slow and gradual release of something, such as "Details about the investigation began to "trickle out" after several weeks".

What's a good alternative to "trickle out"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "emerge gradually", "leak out", or "be gradually revealed".

Is "trickle out" formal or informal?

"Trickle out" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's important to consider the tone of your writing and choose the most appropriate phrasing.

What's the difference between "trickle out" and "gush out"?

"Trickle out" implies a slow and steady flow, while "gush out" suggests a sudden and abundant outflow. The choice depends on the speed and volume you want to convey.