“Pare Down” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 11, 2024 by Liam Daniel

“Pare down” is a phrase you will see and hear quite often because it is frequently used in conversation and writing. If you have seen this phrase before and wondered about it, then look no further than this article. Here you will find the meaning of this phrase and the story behind its origin. You will also see some examples of the phrase used in sentences and conversations so you can learn how to correctly use the phrase for yourself. Rounding out this information, you will see some suggestions of words and/or phrases that you can use in place of this phrase to convey the same meaning.

“Pare Down” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The phrase “pare down” means to reduce or trim something to its essentials or to make it smaller in size, amount, or scope. It often refers to simplifying a process, cutting unnecessary elements, or minimizing clutter to focus on what is most important.
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“Pare Down” Meaning

The phrase “pare down” means to reduce something by removing unnecessary or excess elements. It often refers to simplifying, streamlining, or trimming down items, ideas, or tasks to their essential parts.

Examples:

  • “We need to pare down the list of candidates to find the best fit for the job.”
  • “She decided to pare down her wardrobe to only the clothes she truly loves.”

Origin of This Idiomatic Phrase

The phrase “pare down” comes from the origin of the word “pare.” Throughout time, the word “pare” has taken on many different meanings. The word first appeared in the 1300s with the meaning of “cutting or trimming close. It wasn’t until 1520 that the word took on the meaning “to reduce gradually over time.” This is where the phrase “pare down” first evolved since the word “down” means to move downward or lessen in number.

Usage of “Pare Down”

  • In project management:

“To meet the deadline, we had to pare down the project scope and focus on the key deliverables.”

  • Talking about a budget:

“She decided to pare down her monthly expenses by cutting out unnecessary subscriptions.”

  • In a decluttering context:

“As part of her spring cleaning, she aimed to pare down her wardrobe to only the items she truly loved.”

  • In writing:

“The editor suggested that he pare down his manuscript by removing redundant sections to make it more concise.”

Related Terms to “Pare Down”

  • Reduce – to make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
  • Trim – to cut away unnecessary parts; to reduce in size or amount.
  • Streamline – to simplify or make more efficient by eliminating unnecessary steps or elements.
  • Cut back – to reduce the amount or extent of something.
  • Simplify – to make something less complex or complicated; to clarify by removing unnecessary details.
  • Minimize – to reduce something to the least possible amount or degree.
  • Condense – to make something denser or more concise by removing extraneous material.
  • Diminish – to make something less in size, importance, or value.
  • Eliminate – to completely remove or get rid of something.
  • Refine – to improve something by making small changes or removing impurities.

Alternatives to “Pare Down”

There are several ways to substitute other words and phrases to replace “pare down” and still convey the same meaning. Some of the alternative phrasing you could use include:

  • Reduce
  • Decrease
  • Lessen
  • Cut
  • Diminish
  • Shorten

“Pare Down” Examples

Example Sentences

  • I told my mom I needed a bigger closet, but she said I needed to pare down my shoe collection instead.
  • Sandra realized that she needed to pare down her expenses until after the holidays if she was going to have enough money for her plane ticket home.
  • We were asked to pare down our budget.
  • The government was trying hard to pare down its expenses.
  • With less money coming in, we had to pare down household expenses.
  • Jane makes less money now, so she had to pare down her expenses.
  • The luxury tax won’t really do much to pare down the budget deficit.

Example Conversations

A conversation between a mother and her daughter.

  • Daughter: Mom, I need you to sign this.
  • Mother: What is it?
  • Daughter: It’s to let you know that I am failing two of my classes.
  • Mother: Amelia, I think it is time for you pare down your after-school activities.

A conversation between two co-workers at the office.

  • Co-worker 1: I heard the company is making some cuts.
  • Co-worker 2: Yeah, my manager told me they need to pare down or else the company will go bankrupt.
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