Throttle back
verb
Reduce the speed, intensity or amount of something.
Seeing a brutal economic downturn ahead, the company decided to throttle back its investment plans.
Often appears as...
- throttle back on spending
- throttle back on investment
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To lessen the power or speed of an engine by controlling the fuel supply.
As we approached the airport, the pilot throttled back the engines.
Often appears as...
- throttle back the engines
- throttle back the power
Usage tips
Technical
verb
Reduce the speed, intensity or amount of something.
Seeing a brutal economic downturn ahead, the company decided to throttle back its investment plans.
Often appears as...
- throttle back on spending
- throttle back on investment
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To lessen the power or speed of an engine by controlling the fuel supply.
As we approached the airport, the pilot throttled back the engines.
Often appears as...
- throttle back the engines
- throttle back the power
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Economic Caution
Used to describe a careful reduction of activities, especially financial, due to economic concerns.
They decided to throttle back on hires with the market looking uncertain.
Pro Tip 2/3Strategic Slowdown
Indicates a deliberate decrease in pace or intensity, often for long-term benefits.
To maintain quality, the chef throttled back the number of reservations accepted nightly.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Flexibility
The phrase can adapt to many contexts, from business to personal actions, implying careful control.
She throttled back on social media use to focus on her studies.
Pro Tip 1/3Economic Caution
Used to describe a careful reduction of activities, especially financial, due to economic concerns.
They decided to throttle back on hires with the market looking uncertain.
Pro Tip 2/3Strategic Slowdown
Indicates a deliberate decrease in pace or intensity, often for long-term benefits.
To maintain quality, the chef throttled back the number of reservations accepted nightly.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Flexibility
The phrase can adapt to many contexts, from business to personal actions, implying careful control.
She throttled back on social media use to focus on her studies.
Pro Tip 1/3Economic Caution
Used to describe a careful reduction of activities, especially financial, due to economic concerns.
They decided to throttle back on hires with the market looking uncertain.
Pro Tip 2/3Strategic Slowdown
Indicates a deliberate decrease in pace or intensity, often for long-term benefits.
To maintain quality, the chef throttled back the number of reservations accepted nightly.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Flexibility
The phrase can adapt to many contexts, from business to personal actions, implying careful control.
She throttled back on social media use to focus on her studies.
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