trimmed it down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trimmed it down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of reducing or shortening something, such as a document, list, or project. Example: "After reviewing the report, I decided to trim it down to focus on the most important findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"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

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

European Transport Research Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You want it to be bigger than its final shape so that you can trim it down.

WikiHow

"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

He believes the estimate is too high by eight thousand dollars, and wants them to trim it down.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, specify what 'it' refers to when using "trimmed it down". For example, instead of saying 'I trimmed it down', clarify with 'I trimmed the budget down'.

Common error

While acceptable, "trimmed it down" can sound too casual for some formal writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "reduced it" or "shortened it" in professional documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trimmed it down" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of reducing or shortening something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts like hair trimming and document editing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trimmed it down" is a phrasal verb used to describe the act of reducing or shortening something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and acceptable in various contexts. While it appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, it's essential to consider the formality of the situation. In formal settings, alternatives like "reduced it" or "shortened it" may be more appropriate. Remember to clarify what "it" refers to for clear communication. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "trimmed it down" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduced it

Focuses on the act of making something smaller in size or amount.

Shortened it

Implies making something shorter in length or duration.

Downsized it

Suggests reducing the scale or scope of something.

Cut it back

Emphasizes the act of removing a portion of something.

Scaled it down

Indicates reducing the proportions or magnitude.

Condensed it

Implies making something more compact or concise.

Edited it down

Implies reducing something by editing or revising.

Abbreviated it

Suggests shortening something, especially a text or word.

Slimmed it down

Suggests making something leaner or more efficient by reducing unnecessary parts.

Truncated it

Focuses on cutting something short or removing the end.

FAQs

What does "trimmed it down" mean?

"Trimmed it down" means to reduce the size, length, or amount of something. It suggests a process of making something smaller or more concise.

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

You can use alternatives like "reduced it", "shortened it", or "downsized it" depending on the context.

Is "trimmed it down" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "trimmed it down" may be too casual for certain formal contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "reduced it" or "edited it" in professional or academic writing.

How to use "trimmed it down" in a sentence?

You can use "trimmed it down" in a sentence like: "After reviewing the report, I "decided to" "trimmed it down" to focus on the most important findings."