water down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "water down" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe an action that dilutes or reduces something, such as a drink or an idea. For example: The marketing team had to water down the language in the advertisement to make it suitable for all audiences.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it's not just water down there.

The New York Times

"They tried to water down the problem".

The Guardian - Tech

The encircling Logie brook rills water down from Sherrifmuir.

The Guardian - Travel

"I'm not going to put water down," he said.

The New York Times - Food

"They can't water down that message," he said.

The New York Times

Opponents argue it will water down important EU regulations.

The Guardian - Business

The Government must not water down new rules if it is serious about tackling financial crime".

Independent

They see this administration trying to water down sanctions in Congress for over two years.

The New York Times

We mustn't water down the beer".

BBC

They want to water down drink-driving laws.

BBC

The U.S. government is continuing to lobby Brussels to water down plans to reform privacy legislation.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, be mindful of the context. Ensure that "water down" accurately reflects the intended meaning of dilution or weakening, rather than a complete removal or negation.

Common error

Avoid using "water down" as a catch-all term for any kind of reduction or change. Be specific about how something is being reduced. For example, instead of saying 'The report watered down the concerns,' specify whether the concerns were minimized, rephrased, or partially addressed.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "water down" is a phrasal verb. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, it modifies a noun, indicating the act of diluting, weakening, or simplifying something. Ludwig AI confirms it's used to describe reducing or diluting something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "water down" functions as a phrasal verb that conveys the act of diluting, weakening, or simplifying something. As Ludwig AI points out, it is used to describe an action that dilutes or reduces something. It's commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as in general writing, suggesting a neutral to informal register. When using "water down", be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey, and consider alternative terms like "dilute" or "weaken" for greater precision. Remember to avoid overusing it as a vague substitute for more descriptive language. Ludwig’s examples highlight the diverse ways this phrase can be employed, emphasizing its versatility in expressing degrees of reduction or attenuation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dilute

Direct synonym, referring to making something weaker or less concentrated.

weaken

Emphasizes the reduction of strength or effectiveness.

tone down

Suggests making something less forceful or intense.

temper

Implies moderating or softening the impact of something.

moderate

Similar to temper, suggesting a reduction in extremity.

soften

Indicates making something less harsh or severe.

attenuate

Refers to reducing the force or effect of something, often gradually.

de-emphasize

Suggests reducing the focus or importance of something.

downplay

Implies minimizing the significance of something.

mitigate

Refers to lessening the severity or impact of something negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "water down" to describe diluting a substance, like "You need to water down the lemonade a bit more to make it less sweet", or to describe weakening an idea or policy, like "The Senate wants to "water down" those provisions".

What's a more formal alternative to "water down"?

In a more formal context, consider using terms like "attenuate", "mitigate", or "dilute" instead of "water down", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "water down" a policy or proposal?

To "water down" a policy or proposal means to make it weaker or less restrictive, often by making compromises or removing controversial elements. This is done to increase its chances of being accepted or approved.

Is "water down" always negative?

The connotation of "water down" can vary. While it often implies a negative outcome (weakening something important), it can also be used neutrally to describe simplifying something for a broader audience or making something less intense to avoid conflict. The context determines the tone.