trim budgets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trim budgets" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reduction of financial expenditures or costs within an organization or project. Example: "In response to the economic downturn, the company decided to trim budgets across all departments to maintain financial stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Although rules are often flouted, they have helped trim budgets in the past.

The New York Times

Donors have been quick to encourage returns and trim budgets in Dadaab.

The Guardian

A two-year freeze on public-sector pay followed by a 1% cap has helped trim budgets.

The Economist

But the continuing weakness of the rich world economy has made the decision to trim budgets a difficult one.

The Economist

Some councils are keeping libraries open, but attempting to trim budgets by reducing opening hours and cutting spending on books and other services.

Independent

Over the past month, there has been a growing rumble of discontent over the government's plans to trim budgets and tidy up France's extravagant and inefficient hospital service.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

She has reacted firmly to corruption scandals, and is striving to trim budget pork and to fill senior government jobs on merit rather than through political connections.

The Economist

Where's the accountability of these judges?" European leaders have talked of a European Ratings Agency and a European Monetary Fund, at least for the future, and are slowly moving to trim budget deficits.

The New York Times

U.S. government science funding programs would see their budgets cut by 8.2% in 2013 unless Congress agrees on a plan to trim budget deficits by the start of the new year, concludes an analysis released today by the White House.

Science Magazine

Local businesses are noticing in small ways that their customers are trimming budgets.

The New York Times

Since pilot season is a financial bath for the networks, they have begun trimming budgets and length.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trim budgets", be specific about the areas where reductions are being made to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "We need to trim budgets", specify "We need to trim budgets in marketing and travel expenses".

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "We're trimming the budget across the board" without providing concrete examples or specific targets. This can create uncertainty and anxiety among stakeholders. Instead, communicate precise reduction targets and the rationale behind them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trim budgets" functions as a verb phrase where "trim" acts as a transitive verb and "budgets" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. It describes the action of reducing or adjusting financial allocations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trim budgets" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for describing the act of reducing financial expenditures. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and business settings, it serves to communicate cost-cutting measures or financial adjustments. While alternatives like "reduce expenditures" or "cut spending" exist, "trim budgets" often implies a more strategic and less drastic approach to financial management. Ensure clear communication by specifying the affected areas when discussing budget reductions to maintain transparency and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce expenditures

Focuses on the act of lowering the total amount of money spent.

cut spending

A more direct and forceful way of saying "trim budgets", implying an immediate and significant reduction.

curtail expenses

Similar to "reduce expenditures" but may imply a more careful and controlled reduction.

downsize budgets

Suggests a reduction in the overall size or scope of the budget.

economize on funds

Emphasizes careful and efficient use of available money.

retrench financially

Implies a defensive measure taken to reduce costs and secure financial stability, especially during difficult times.

tighten the belt

An idiomatic expression for reducing spending, often due to financial hardship.

slash budgets

Suggests a drastic and sudden decrease in the amount of money allocated.

streamline finances

Implies making financial processes more efficient, often leading to cost savings.

optimize resource allocation

Focuses on using resources more effectively, which may involve reallocating funds or cutting wasteful spending.

FAQs

How can I use "trim budgets" in a sentence?

You can use "trim budgets" to describe the action of reducing financial expenditures. For example: "The company decided to "trim budgets" in response to the economic downturn."

What is another way to say "trim budgets"?

Alternatives to "trim budgets" include "reduce expenditures", "cut spending", or "curtail expenses".

Is it better to say "trim budgets" or "cut budgets"?

"Trim budgets" and "cut budgets" are similar, but "trim" suggests a more careful and less drastic reduction than "cut". The best choice depends on the context and the scale of the reduction.

What are some strategies for effectively "trimming budgets"?

Effective strategies for "trimming budgets" include identifying non-essential expenses, negotiating better rates with suppliers, and improving operational efficiency.