scale down

Idioms  

1. Reduce the size or cost of, as in The owners decided to scale down wages. This expression, along with the related scale up, which refers to an increase, alludes to scale in the sense of “a fixed standard.” [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Extreme weather conditions are causing severe disruptions to logistics operations across Europe, with cargo vessels sheltering and terminals forced to halt or scale down activity, Maersk said on Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal

But after delays caused by the pandemic, the trust scaled down and axed some events after income was forecast to be £1.6m lower than previously thought.

From BBC

The case comes at a difficult time for Pride organisations which say they are experiencing a drop in financial support and volunteers meaning several events were cancelled or scaled down in 2025.

From BBC

It also scaled down price and capital controls that once banned trading of the U.S. dollar.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The appearance of a snow roller resembles a scaled down version of large rolled hay bales made of snow."

From BBC

Related Words

• curtail
• cut
• cut down
• decrease
• depreciate
• devalue
• diminish
• downgrade
• knock off
• lessen
• pare
• slash
• soften