trimming it down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trimming it down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of reducing or simplifying something, such as a document, list, or idea. Example: "After reviewing the initial draft, I decided to start trimming it down to make it more concise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 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

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

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

Compiling this list was easy - trimming it down to the 10 biggest wasn't.

Huffington Post

But on 100% Fresh, he's managed to take the anarchic nature and slacker approach of his early movies and albums and retrofit the humor for modern times, usually by trimming it down to the bare essentials.

Vice

The slow processing speed may be improved by trimming it down to the most useful component algorithms.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 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

"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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trimming it down" when you want to convey the idea of making something more concise, efficient, or manageable by removing unnecessary elements.

Common error

Avoid using "trimming it down" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "reducing it" or "condensing it" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trimming it down" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of reducing something in size, length, or complexity. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trimming it down" is a phrasal verb used to describe the process of reducing something to a more manageable size or form. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and appropriate for general use, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain contexts. It frequently appears in News & Media and Wiki articles, illustrating its broad applicability. When writing, it's best practice to use this phrase to indicate that you are removing unnecessary details to make something more efficient or concise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reducing it

Focuses on the action of making something smaller in size, amount, or degree.

shortening it

Emphasizes making something shorter in length or duration.

condensing it

Implies compressing something into a smaller space or form, often a summary.

streamlining it

Suggests simplifying a process or system to make it more efficient.

cutting it back

Suggests reducing the amount or extent of something, often expenses or production.

whittling it down

Implies gradually reducing something to its essential parts.

paring it down

Means reducing something by removing unnecessary parts.

winnowing it

Suggests separating the valuable parts from the less valuable or unwanted parts.

downsizing it

Refers to reducing the size or scale of something, often a business or organization.

scaling it down

Implies reducing the proportions or extent of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "trimming it down" to describe the act of reducing the size, length, or complexity of something. For example, "The director is "trimming it down" to fit the network's time slot."

What are some alternatives to "trimming it down"?

Some alternatives include "reducing it", "shortening it", or "condensing it" depending on the context.

Is "trimming it down" appropriate for formal writing?

While "trimming it down" is generally acceptable, it may be better to use more formal alternatives like "reducing it" or "streamlining it" in formal contexts.

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

"Trimming it down" often implies making something more concise or efficient by removing unnecessary parts, while "cutting it back" suggests a more significant reduction, often due to budget constraints or other limitations.