narrow down — to reduce the number of possibilities or choices by eliminating some options
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to reduce the number of possibilities or choices by eliminating some options
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈnæroʊ daʊn/
Example Sentences
- I have 50 dating apps, but I need to narrow down to just one before my phone explodes.
- The detective narrowed down the suspects to three people who all hated pineapple pizza.
- We narrowed down our vacation destinations from 20 countries to just Jeju Island.
narrow down
VERB[/ˈnæroʊ daʊn/]
to reduce the number of possibilities or choices by eliminating some options
a head chef holds a large stack of recipe cards while carefully examining each one. She pulls out several cards from the pile and sets them aside on the counter. The remaining stack in her hands becomes noticeably smaller as she continues sorting. A sous chef watches nearby as the head chef points to only three remaining recipes from what started as dozens. The kitchen staff begins preparing ingredients for just those final selected dishes. reducing the number of possibilities by eliminating some options
The sparrow guides the arrow to narrow down the right target!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrasal verb combines the adjective 'narrow' (meaning of limited width or scope) with the adverb 'down' (indicating reduction or downward progression). The expression emerged from the metaphorical image of a funnel, where broader possibilities at the top progressively taper to a single focused point below, representing the gradual reduction of options or scope.
Breakdown
narrow (adjective: of limited width or reduced scope) + down (adverb: indicating progressive reduction or limitation). Together they form a phrasal verb meaning to reduce a broad range of possibilities to a smaller, more focused set.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“I have 50 dating apps, but I need to narrow down to just one before my phone explodes.”
“The detective narrowed down the suspects to three people who all hated pineapple pizza.”
“We narrowed down our vacation destinations from 20 countries to just Jeju Island.”
“After hours of debate, they narrowed down the company name to 'Super Awesome Corp.'”
📚Related Words
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