trim the size

USAGE SUMMARY

"trim the size" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to reducing dimensions or making something smaller. For example: "We need to trim the size of the report to fit the guidelines." Alternative expressions include "reduce the size" and "cut down the size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The solution was to trim the size of government.

The New York Times

The university has agreed to trim the size by 370,000 square feet.

The New York Times

But if there are few signs of a bounce-back this week, I may still trim the size of the positions.

The Guardian - Business

The carrier, based in Arlington, Va., will almost certainly retool its inefficient hub operations, trim the size of its fleet and eliminate more jobs.

The New York Times

As for Colombia's other myriad problems, Mr. Uribe has promised to reduce corruption and trim the size of Congress, measures that he says will save money for use in building up the army and addressing social programs.

The New York Times

The challenge, he said, will be to trim the size of staffs assigned to senior leaders to fit new budget constraints without diminishing the ability of those officers to perform their national security duties.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He trimmed the size of the federal government.

The New York Times

"Since 1998 we have undergone a very painful process so we have trimmed the size of our corporate sector," Mr. Lee said.

The New York Times

In response to criticism, Related recently trimmed the size of its entertainment complex to about one million square feet, added nine basketball courts and more community space and offered a museum instead of an 1,800-seat 1,800-seat.

The New York Times

Mr. Gates cited members of Congress who oppose the $78 billion in cuts he has proposed over the next five years, including canceling weapons programs and trimming the size of the Army and Marine Corps; critics say the plan will weaken national security.

The New York Times

But a majority of members from both parties voted for the measure after saying it was necessary to avoid the potential for a global economic calamity and a good start toward trimming the size of the national debt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Apply this phrase to abstract entities like budgets, staffs or government departments to suggest efficiency and refinement.

Common error

Avoid using "trim the size" when referring to human body weight or personal dieting. While you can "trim down", the phrase "trim the size" sounds awkward in this context; instead use "lose weight" or "reduce body size".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trim the size" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "trim" is the action and "the size" is the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used as a predicate to describe a process of controlled reduction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "trim the size" is a versatile and effective expression for describing the intentional reduction of an object or concept. Data from Ludwig AI shows that it is frequently employed in diverse fields, ranging from political journalism (reducing government size) to physical DIY projects (trimming a photo or fabric). Unlike words that imply a loss or a simple decrease, "trimming" suggests a level of precision and craftsmanship. If you are looking for a professional way to say you are making something smaller to improve its fit or efficiency, "trim the size" is an excellent choice. You may also consider synonyms like <a href="/s/reduce+the+size" target="_blank" rel="alternative">reduce the size for a more neutral tone or <a href="/s/scale+back" target="_blank" rel="alternative">scale back for broader organizational changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the size

Standard and most versatile alternative for any context.

scale back the size

Emphasizes a reduction in proportion or intensity.

cut down the size

Slightly more informal but very common in spoken English.

shrink the dimensions

Focuses more specifically on the physical measurements.

limit the scope

Used when the size refers to the extent of a project or plan.

curtail the volume

A more formal choice often used in economic or technical contexts.

prune the scale

Suggests a selective or organic reduction, like cleaning up a list.

diminish the capacity

Implies a reduction in what something can hold or perform.

compress the magnitude

Suggests making something smaller by packing or condensing it.

decrease the breadth

Specific to reducing the width or range of an object or topic.

FAQs

How to use "trim the size" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe reducing dimensions, such as: "The editor asked me to "trim the size" of the article to fit the page."

What can I say instead of "trim the size"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/reduce+the+size" target="_blank" rel="alternative">reduce the size", "<a href="/s/scale+back" target="_blank" rel="alternative">scale back" or "<a href="/s/cut+down+the+size" target="_blank" rel="alternative">cut down the size".

Which is correct, "trim the size" or "trim the dimensions"?

Both are correct. "trim the size" is more general, while "<a href="/s/trim+the+dimensions" target="_blank" rel="alternative">trim the dimensions" is more specific to physical measurements.

Is "trim the size" suitable for business writing?

Yes, it is very common in business contexts, especially when discussing a need to "<a href="/s/downsize" target="_blank" rel="alternative">downsize" or reduce operational costs and staff.