# thin the herd

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/thin-the-herd
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

to cull, to reduce the size of a group

## Examples

- The manager decided to thin the herd to save money.
- The company had too many employees, so they decided to thin the herd during the annual review.
- In an effort to ensure the long-term survival of the species, the park rangers were forced to thin the herd of deer grazing in the valley.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.