The phrasal verb "narrow down" is frequently used in both informal and formal speech, though it is more prevalent in contexts where precision and conciseness are crucial, such as decision-making situations or problem-solving discussions. It generally means to reduce the number of possibilities or options until only a few or the best remain. In informal settings, it might be used when deciding on restaurant options or vacation destinations, while in professional or formal settings, it can pertain to narrowing down job candidates, research topics, or problem hypotheses. "Narrow down" is often employed when clarity is sought through elimination, reflecting a process of careful consideration to achieve focus and clarity. It is part of the category of phrasal verbs that have clearly defined meanings when compared to its base verb "narrow," which doesn’t fully convey the same idea of systematically reducing options.
B1
Intermediate
1. To reduce the number of options or possibilities to focus on fewer, more relevant ones.
We need to narrow down our options for the new software package.
After weeks of searching, they finally narrowed down their choices to three finalists.
2. To make something more specific or limited in scope.
Can we narrow down the topic of our discussion to just two main points?
The company was able to narrow down the causes of the problem to a single source.