English Expression · Intermediate
pare down
To reduce by paring or a similar gradual process
Pronunciation: say pare down
Meaning
To reduce by paring or a similar gradual process.
Example
As companies keep paring down their delivery times – from two days to a day to two hours to an hour – longer stretches of the last mile will have to run through urban territory.
As companies keep paring down their delivery times – from two days to a day to two hours to an hour – longer stretches of the last mile will have to run through urban territory.
Practice tips
- Practice pare down out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English expression is for intermediate-level learners.