vole down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vole down" is not correct in written English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It appears to be a typographical error or a misinterpretation of another phrase. Example: "Please don't vole down the information I just shared." (This example is incorrect due to the phrase itself being incorrect.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now before you scurry like a turgid vole down to the comments section to state that poor Amy was well shot of me, answer this: Did I say anything mean to her? Did I say anything particularly personal or cruel?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Meet the Starkadders of Howling, Sussex – sin-obsessed Amos preaching at the Church of the Quivering Bretheren, Urk tending to his beloved water-voles, sex-god Seth mollocking down in the village, and Great Aunt Ada, 20 years confined to her room since she saw "something nasty in the woodshed".

The Guardian

Most dazzling of all might be the footage of an owl, as, guided by its fine sense of hearing, it swoops down and plucks a vole from beneath the snow.

The New York Times - Arts

"They are very efficient predators which shouldn't be here so if they get established, especially the female, they can clear areas of bank and river because of the way they hunt as mink females go down water vole burrows," Mr Pritchard said.

BBC

The sickle reveals what has been going on underneath it all; the snaking runs made by the little feet of voles, a mouse's nest soft as down from chewed-up grass leaves.

The Guardian

The voles had to eat rabbitbrush, and they burrowed down to gnaw at the roots.

Science Magazine

I tried to fend them off, but they were stronger than me – after the last few days a geriatric water vole could probably have taken me down.

The Guardian

And any vole hunting done in the fall will also cut down on the damage, if you have the stomach for it.

The New York Times

Detailed documentation of the vole and beetle models describing their components down to the level of the source code is provided as a large number of interlinked html documents at.

BMC Ecology

However, although the numbers are down by more than 20%, the survey found healthy populations of the vole in South Tyneside and Weardale.

BBC

Down among the tussocks they create a network of vole highways, leaving territorial markers by dribbling urine and leaving droppings as they travel.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "vole down" in formal writing. If you need to describe a vole moving downwards, use more descriptive and standard language, such as "the vole scurried down the burrow".

Common error

Don't assume that "vole down" is a recognized idiom or standard phrase. Overusing or misinterpreting it can lead to confusion or miscommunication. Use more common phrases to be explicit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vole down" functions as a noun followed by a preposition, but its overall grammatical function is limited due to its lack of conventional usage. The Ludwig AI indicates it is not correct. While it can describe a vole's movement, standard alternatives are more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vole down" is a rare and grammatically questionable expression. According to Ludwig, this phrase is not considered standard English and lacks a clear, established meaning. Its usage is infrequent, primarily appearing in news and science contexts, but without consistent or authoritative support. The phrase is best avoided in formal writing. When describing a vole's movement downwards, use clearer, more standard language, such as "The vole scurried down the burrow". Given its uncommon usage and lack of clear meaning, relying on alternative phrases is advisable to prevent misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descend rapidly

Emphasizes a quick downward movement, replacing "down" with a synonym.

plummet sharply

Highlights a steep and sudden fall, using stronger verbs for downward motion.

swoop down

Implies a predatory dive, similar to the owl example provided.

burrow downward

Focuses on digging or moving underground, relating to vole behavior.

scurry away

Captures the quick movement of a vole, though not necessarily downwards.

dig deep

Suggests an action of digging, which voles often do to create their habitat.

vole population decline

Refers to a decrease in the number of voles, addressing the subject matter.

decrease sharply

Indicates a rapid reduction or decline, similar to falling "down".

fall quickly

Uses a more common verb to describe a fast decrease or downward movement.

dive steeply

Suggests a sharp, downwards trajectory, replacing "vole" with a depiction of movement.

FAQs

How can I describe a vole moving downwards?

Instead of using the unclear phrase "vole down", use more descriptive language such as "The vole scurried "down the burrow"", "The vole descended "into the hole"", or "The vole moved "downward"".

Is "vole down" a common expression in English?

No, "vole down" is not a common or standard expression in English. It's best to avoid using it in formal writing or conversation. It's better to use more common phrases or descriptions.

What does "vole down" mean?

The meaning of "vole down" is unclear without additional context. Given the typical behavior of voles, it might suggest a vole moving downwards or burrowing, but this is not a standard usage.

Are there any situations where "vole down" would be appropriate?

While rare, "vole down" might be used in highly informal or creative contexts where the intent is clear through surrounding information. However, it's generally safer to opt for clearer alternatives to avoid confusion.