scale back
Trim the scope
Scale back means to reduce in size, scope, or intensity.
Plans, budgets, operations, and ambitions get scaled back when circumstances demand restraint: We had to scale back the wedding due to costs.
The phrase implies a deliberate, measured reduction rather than abandonment—pulling back while keeping the essential structure intact.
- retrenchCut expenses sharply
- wind downGradually relax or conclude
- reduceMake smaller in degree
- diminishTo make smaller
- decreaseBecome or make smaller
lessen · curtail · trim down · rein in · downsize · shrink · pare down · taper · curb · cut corners · minimize · narrow · de-escalate · phase down · ramp down · cut · streamline · temper
- cutbackscutback, cutbacks, decrease, layoff, reduction
- Reduceshrink, diminish, decrease, lessen, reduce
- scaling downramp down, pare down, trim down, whittle down, wind down
- softensoften, dampen, mute, muffle, tone down
- endingsending, the end, finish, close, final
- reorganizationreorganize, restructure, reshuffle, rearrange, realign
ambition/commitment level
scale backdouble down
Strengthen one's stance
go all in · intensify · step up · accelerate · push forward