Phrasal verb
drill down
Definition
phrasal verb. to look at information in more detail to find specific facts or the cause of a problem. You use this when you want to go deeper into a topic.
phrasal verb. to investigate or examine something in increasing detail, typically by moving from a high-level summary to specific data points. The verb functions intransitively or takes a prepositional object with 'into'.
Examples
“We need to drill down into these sales figures to find the problem.”
“The manager asked the team to drill down into the customer feedback to identify the exact source of the complaints.”
“Although the executive summary provided a broad overview of performance, the analysts needed to drill down into regional metrics to isolate the underperforming sectors.”
Examples
simple
“We need to drill down into these sales figures to find the problem.”
contextual
“The manager asked the team to drill down into the customer feedback to identify the exact source of the complaints.”
complex
“Although the executive summary provided a broad overview of performance, the analysts needed to drill down into regional metrics to isolate the underperforming sectors.”
Usage
usually followed by the preposition 'into' when referring to the specific data being examined.
Teaching tip
use the metaphor of a physical drill going through layers of earth to help students visualize moving through layers of data.
Pitfall
We need to drill down the data.
We need to drill down into the data.
The figurative sense of examining data requires the preposition 'into' to connect to the object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
drill + down + into + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- 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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