trimming down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trimming down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to reducing the size, amount, or extent of something, often in the context of weight loss or simplifying a process. Example: "She is trimming down her budget to save more money for her vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Weight loss

Budget reduction

Corporate restructuring

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Even the major food manufacturers with hundreds of brands are rethinking their lineups and trimming down portfolios.

The New York Times

They hiked the Pacific Coast Trail from Mexico to Canada several times, always redesigning and trimming down equipment.

The New York Times

During rehabilitation, you learn how to maximize the amount of nutrition in your meals and get advice on trimming down if you need to lose weight.

University of California, Berkeley

Now that the rowers are trimming down to their competition weight of 154 pounds, they have to avoid some of their favorite local foods (in Nase's case, Conte's pizza and Thomas Sweet ice cream).

Princeton University

A lot of what we did last year was to try and procure more funds for student activities, both by looking outside and by trimming down our own budget.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

General Motors is trimming down, Ford is still flabby, and Chrysler has had a setback.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

You'll see the biggest ones trimmed down in size.

The New York Times

For neatness the strands are usually trimmed down before the final tuck is made.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What is more, the whole thing was brutally trimmed down during its "restoration" in 1880.

Independent

Or trim down some of the movement and stick to a radio play staging?

The New York Times

Meaning, crash diet until she trimmed down enough to fit the size.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about budget cuts or organizational restructuring, use "trimming down" to convey a sense of careful reduction rather than a drastic overhaul. For example, "The company is trimming down its marketing budget to focus on more effective strategies."

Common error

While "trimming down" is acceptable in many situations, more formal or technical writing may benefit from using alternatives like "reducing", "downsizing", or "streamlining" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trimming down" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a verb complement or part of a continuous verb tense. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

16%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trimming down" is a grammatically sound and common way to express reduction, streamlining, or weight loss. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, suggesting it's most frequently used in news and media, and academic contexts. While generally neutral, more formal contexts may benefit from using alternatives. Consider the context and desired formality when deciding whether to use "trimming down" or alternatives like "reducing", "downsizing", or "streamlining".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reducing

Emphasizes a general decrease in size, quantity, or extent.

Downsizing

Implies a reduction in size, often related to businesses or organizations.

Cutting back

Suggests a reduction in spending or consumption.

Slimming down

Specifically refers to reducing weight or making something thinner.

Scaling down

Indicates a reduction in scale or scope.

Streamlining

Highlights improving efficiency by removing unnecessary elements.

Consolidating

Focuses on combining or merging to reduce redundancy.

Pruning

Suggests selectively removing parts to improve overall structure or growth.

Whittling down

Implies gradually reducing something until only the essential remains.

Curtailing

Emphasizes restricting or limiting something.

FAQs

How can I use "trimming down" in a sentence?

"Trimming down" is a versatile phrase. For instance, you can say, "She's "trimming down her expenses"," or "The company is "trimming down its workforce"."

What are some alternatives to "trimming down"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "reducing", "downsizing", "cutting back", or "slimming down".

Is "trimming down" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "trimming down" may sound less formal. Consider using more professional terms like "reducing" or "streamlining" in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "trimming down" and "cutting back"?

"Trimming down" often implies a careful or strategic reduction, while "cutting back" can suggest a more abrupt or necessary reduction, especially in spending or resources.