trim it down

USAGE SUMMARY

"trim it down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to reduce the size of something, such as an essay, by removing some of the unnecessary information. For example, "This essay is too long; let's trim it down to 500 words."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Hopefully we can trim it down a bit," Langer said.

The Guardian - Sport

"My feeling was that we can take this technology and trim it down," he said.

The New York Times

"I wanted to trim it down, but I couldn't not have seven brides and everyone who goes with them".

The New York Times

I've known people to cut a hefty, chunky red with a strong dash of chardonnay to trim it down to size.

The New York Times - Food

A more vain man would -- ill-advisedly -- dye his mustache, trim it down so that it did not look like it should be attached to geek glasses and a rubber nose, or shave it altogether.

The Washington Post

At night an oval stage is thrust into the middle of the hall, and the place belongs to "Amistad," which Spoleto revived on condition that Davis revise it and trim it down in duration and orchestration.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Word is that Quentin Tarantino just finished his cut of "Django Unchained," trimming it down from a three-hour running time and fine-tuning the sound.

The New York Times

"One of the last times I trimmed it down, cut my hair shorter, I went through a bad streak of four games.

The New York Times

The proprietor had a man work on it for fifteen or twenty minutes, trimming it down, and the man asked for the bill, was told that it was five cents.

The New Yorker

Based on these criteria we trimmed it down to 277 articles.

European Transport Research Review

Acoustic features were extracted from the stimuli in a similar fashion to that described in Section 3, but the list of features was consolidated again by trimming it down to a robust minimal set.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing feedback on a document, use "trim it down" to suggest removing unnecessary words or sections to improve conciseness.

Common error

While "trim it down" is widely understood, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "reduce", "shorten", or "condense" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trim it down" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive one, because it requires a direct object. It indicates the action of reducing something in size, length, or amount. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

51%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trim it down" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb that means to reduce something in size, length, or amount. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It's commonly found in news articles and wiki guides, indicating a neutral to informal register. While versatile, it's best to use more precise alternatives in formal or academic contexts. Remember to consider the context and audience when deciding whether to use "trim it down" or a more formal synonym.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce it

This is a more general term for making something smaller.

shorten it

This is best used when referring to length.

cut it back

Implies a more aggressive reduction, as if pruning.

pare it down

Suggests careful and minimal reduction.

scale it down

Suitable when reducing proportionally.

slim it down

Implies making something more streamlined or efficient.

condense it

This refers to reducing in bulk or volume.

abbreviate it

Relevant when shortening words or phrases.

curtail it

Suggests limiting or restricting something.

downsize it

Commonly used in business contexts to mean reducing staff or operations.

FAQs

How can I use "trim it down" in a sentence?

You can use "trim it down" to suggest reducing the size or length of something. For example, "The essay is too long; let's "trim it down" to 500 words."

What can I say instead of "trim it down"?

You can use alternatives like "reduce it", "shorten it", or "cut it back" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "trim it down"?

It's appropriate to use "trim it down" in informal and general contexts. In more formal settings, consider using more precise alternatives such as "decrease it" or "diminish it".

Is "trim it down" suitable for academic writing?

While "trim it down" is grammatically correct, it may be perceived as too informal for academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "reduce it", "shorten it", or "condense it" for a more professional tone.