Reduce to doing
phrase
Forced to do something as a last resource due to desperate or unpleasant circumstances.
After losing his job, he was reduced to begging for money to pay his bills.
Often appears as...
- reduce to begging
- reduce to tears
phrase
Decrease something to a specific level or state.
The company was reduced to bankruptcy due to poor management.
Often appears as...
- reduce to minimum
- reduce to zero
Usage tips
Formal
Business
phrase
Forced to do something as a last resource due to desperate or unpleasant circumstances.
After losing his job, he was reduced to begging for money to pay his bills.
Often appears as...
- reduce to begging
- reduce to tears
phrase
Decrease something to a specific level or state.
The company was reduced to bankruptcy due to poor management.
Often appears as...
- reduce to minimum
- reduce to zero
Usage tips
Formal
Business
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Desperate Situations
Use it when someone has no choice but to do something undignified or unwanted due to bad circumstances.
After the earthquake, the residents were reduced to living in makeshift tents.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Emotion
Implies feelings of sadness or disappointment, often resulting from a significant downgrade in situation or status.
An elite athlete, she was reduced to coaching peewee soccer after the injury.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impact
Can indicate an action that causes a strong emotional reaction like crying or desperation.
The relentless criticism reduced him to tears.
Pro Tip 1/3Desperate Situations
Use it when someone has no choice but to do something undignified or unwanted due to bad circumstances.
After the earthquake, the residents were reduced to living in makeshift tents.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Emotion
Implies feelings of sadness or disappointment, often resulting from a significant downgrade in situation or status.
An elite athlete, she was reduced to coaching peewee soccer after the injury.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impact
Can indicate an action that causes a strong emotional reaction like crying or desperation.
The relentless criticism reduced him to tears.
Pro Tip 1/3Desperate Situations
Use it when someone has no choice but to do something undignified or unwanted due to bad circumstances.
After the earthquake, the residents were reduced to living in makeshift tents.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Emotion
Implies feelings of sadness or disappointment, often resulting from a significant downgrade in situation or status.
An elite athlete, she was reduced to coaching peewee soccer after the injury.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Impact
Can indicate an action that causes a strong emotional reaction like crying or desperation.
The relentless criticism reduced him to tears.
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