English Reference

Phrasal verb

narrow down

Definition

phrasal verb. to make a list of choices or possibilities smaller so you can focus on the best ones.

phrasal verb. to reduce a large number of options or possibilities to a smaller, more manageable set. This transitive phrasal verb typically implies a process of elimination.

Examples

“We need to narrow down our choices for the summer holiday.”

“The committee spent all afternoon trying to narrow down the fifty applications to a shortlist of just five people.”

“By analyzing the chemical signatures in the soil, the geologists were able to narrow down the search area for the rare mineral deposit significantly.”

Examples

simple

“We need to narrow down our choices for the summer holiday.”

contextual

“The committee spent all afternoon trying to narrow down the fifty applications to a shortlist of just five people.”

complex

“By analyzing the chemical signatures in the soil, the geologists were able to narrow down the search area for the rare mineral deposit significantly.”

Usage

usually followed by a plural noun like 'options', 'choices', or 'candidates'.

Teaching tip

encourage students to use this when discussing decision-making processes; it pairs well with the preposition 'to' to show the final result.

Pitfall

We narrowed down the list in three options.

We narrowed down the list to three options.

the preposition 'to' is used to indicate the final number or result of the narrowing process.

Phrasal verb

Particles

down

Separability

optional

Pattern

narrow + down + object

Synonyms

reducelimitfilterwhittle down

Antonyms

broadenexpandwiden

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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