scale back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Reduce in scope to slow expansion
Why “back”? Something wants to move forward or come out. You keep it back, so it stays behind a limit.
“The firm has scaled back its hiring.”
“They scaled back the building plans.”
Don't confuse with
Scale back means reduce in scope to slow expansion. Scale down means reduce in size or scope.
Test yourself
“The firm has scaled back its hiring.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
scale down
A contrast learners often mix up
Deliberately shrink a plan or operation
bite back
Same back pattern: holding
Stop yourself from saying something that you really want to say
choke back
Same back pattern: holding
Suppress an emotion welling up
cut back
Same back pattern: holding
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure; Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
fall back
Same back pattern: holding
Move backwards quickly, often in retreat; Use something as a backup when other options fail; Move into a position behind others
fight back
Same back pattern: holding
Defend yourself against an attack; Try to suppress a feeling like tears or anger
hang back
Same back pattern: holding
Hesitate to take part
hold back
Same back pattern: holding
Stop yourself from doing or saying something; Prevent someone or something from progressing; Refuse to give information or feelings
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