work down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work down" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you mean to indicate a process of reducing or addressing something step by step, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "We need to work down the list of tasks to ensure everything is completed."

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You just work down".

The New York Times

"I work down in TriBeCa," Ms. Crawford said.

The New York Times

Curry said Loughner "threw his work down" and said the grade was "unacceptable".

The New York Times

But at the moment he is turning work down and giving himself a long rest.

The Guardian - Film

Now it has taken the first steps to shut the deacons' work down.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the study found that 2.8% of commuters walk to work, down from 5.6% in 1980.

BBC

To really lock things down would just slow work down, which is clearly not the goal.

Forbes

Tim Geithner: They're going to have to work down their balance sheets, work down that debt.

Huffington Post

In the past, he has "over-thought" his work down to the smallest detail.

Los Angeles Times

Shirley's approach served to harden negotiating positions and bogged the commission's work down in minutiae.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Work down each pant leg.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work down" to indicate a gradual, methodical approach to reducing or completing tasks. For example, "We need to work down the list of tasks to ensure everything is completed."

Common error

Avoid using "work down" without specifying what is being worked down. For instance, instead of saying "We need to work down", clarify it as "We need to work down the inventory levels" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "work down" primarily functions as a verb of process, indicating a gradual reduction, a methodical approach, or a systematic completion of tasks. Ludwig shows it being used both in physical and abstract contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

35%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "work down" is a phrasal verb with several related meanings: gradually reducing, methodically addressing, or systematically completing tasks. While generally acceptable, as confirmed by Ludwig, clarity in context is essential to avoid ambiguity. It finds common usage in news and media, and Wiki articles and exhibits a neutral register. When unsure, consider alternatives like "go through" or "reduce gradually" for increased precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go through

Implies a systematic review or processing, similar to working through a list or tasks.

address systematically

Highlights an organized approach to handling tasks, akin to working down a plan.

reduce gradually

Focuses on the stepwise reduction aspect, similar to working down debt.

systematically process

Emphasizes a methodical and organized approach to completion.

tackle sequentially

Implies addressing items in a specific order, resembling working down a list.

stepwise decline

Focuses on a gradual decrease, similar to "working down" inventory.

diminish incrementally

Highlights the slow and steady lessening of something.

handle progressively

Suggests dealing with things in a forward-moving manner.

gradually decrease

Implies a slow reduction in amount or intensity.

systematic reduction

Stresses the organized and planned nature of decreasing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "work down" to describe a process of gradual reduction, such as "We need to "work down" our debt" or a methodical approach, like "Start at the top and "work down" the list".

What does "work down" mean?

"Work down" generally means to gradually reduce something, to proceed methodically from top to bottom, or to resolve something in a step-by-step manner. The meaning depends on the context in which it is used.

What can I say instead of "work down"?

You can use alternatives like "go through", "address systematically", or "reduce gradually" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "work down"?

Yes, "work down" is a valid phrasal verb. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, ""work down" the details" is acceptable if it means to address them systematically.