worker down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worker down" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a worker being incapacitated or unavailable, but the expression is not standard. Example: "After the accident, we had to find a replacement for the worker down."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

STATE officials say the average caseload is 35 per worker, down from 42 a few years ago.

The New York Times

The agency hired 600 more caseworkers, and though it has cut 200 positions and is likely to trim more, that brought the average caseload per worker down to 9 from 16.5.

The New York Times

When I took a sex worker down to a residential place for severely disabled people for the staff to experience what a sex worker is like, they asked her what she would do if a client bashed her over the head with his uncontrollable arm, or threw up over her and she replied: "I would duck the arm and I would clear up the vomit, that's part of what I do: clearing up excrement".

The Guardian - Opinion

Shriver, one of eight candidates to replace termed-out 3rd District Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, pledged "1,000%" to bring caseloads that now average about 30 children per worker down to 15 — a proposal that could require tens of millions of dollars in new hiring.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He liked him — hard worker, down-to-earth guy, clearly loves baseball — and as he spoke of "recommending" that some top aides be retained, Ricketts seemed to be softening the impact of the firing: Jim wasn't that bad; look at the people he hired.

The New York Times

Mr. Stevens's mother, Regina, a school cafeteria worker, downed a small drink from the car's supply, raised a glass and declared: "To Terrence.

The New York Times

What if I let my co-workers down?

The New York Times

Manufacturing now employs just 18% of all male workers, down from 30% two decades ago.

The Economist

The industry has 550,000 workers, down from 1.1 million during the 1970's construction boom.

The New York Times

Unions today represent just 11.3% of American workers, down from 28.3% in 1954.

The Guardian - Money

He considered bankruptcy around 2001 when he was employing only six workers, down from 30 in 1990.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific context and choose the alternative phrase that most accurately reflects the worker's condition and the reason for their absence.

Common error

Do not use "worker down" without further clarification. This phrase is vague and could be misinterpreted. Instead, specify the reason why the worker is "down", whether it's due to injury, illness, or another cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worker down" functions as a noun phrase, potentially indicating a worker who is injured or incapacitated. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's not standard English. While some examples exist, more precise language is recommended.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "worker down" might be understood to mean a worker is injured or incapacitated, Ludwig AI notes that it is not considered standard English and lacks clarity. With only a few examples from mostly news sources, it's best to opt for more descriptive phrases like "injured worker" or "worker unable to work" in professional or formal communication to avoid ambiguity. These alternatives ensure clarity and provide specific information about the worker's condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

injured worker

Replaces "down" with a more direct description of the worker's condition.

incapacitated worker

Specifies the worker's inability to perform their duties.

worker out of commission

Emphasizes the temporary or permanent unavailability of the worker.

worker unable to work

Directly states the worker's current inability to perform their job.

worker off duty due to injury

Explains the reason for the worker's absence from their job.

worker sidelined

Uses a sports metaphor to indicate temporary removal from work.

worker on leave

Indicates the worker is temporarily absent, possibly due to injury or illness.

worker taken ill

Describes the worker's condition as sickness-related.

employee not available

A broader term indicating unavailability for any reason.

staff member indisposed

A formal way of saying the staff member is unable to work due to illness or other reasons.

FAQs

What does "worker down" mean?

The phrase "worker down" typically suggests a worker is injured or unable to perform their duties. However, it's an ambiguous expression. Using more explicit terms such as "injured worker" or "incapacitated worker" will provide better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "worker down"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "injured worker", "worker unable to work", or "worker on leave". These alternatives are more precise and avoid ambiguity.

Is "worker down" grammatically correct?

While some instances exist, "worker down" is not a standard or widely accepted phrase in formal English. It's better to use clearer and more descriptive language to avoid confusion. For instance, "injured worker" is generally preferred.

When should I use "worker down"?

Given that this phrase may be unclear, it is advisable to avoid "worker down" in professional or formal contexts. Choose more descriptive and less ambiguous alternatives, such as stating that the worker is "unable to work" due to a specific reason.