scales back
Lessens the scope
To scale back is to reduce the size, scope, or intensity of something: The company scaled back its expansion plans.
The phrase suggests a deliberate, measured reduction rather than abandonment—trimming rather than eliminating.
Often used for budgets, ambitions, or operations that have grown too large: We had to scale back the wedding after Dad lost his job.
- reduceMake smaller in degree
- retrenchmentReduction of expenditures
- pare downReduce by removing excess
- curtailTo cut short
- trimRemove unwanted edges
prune · streamline · downsize · tighten belt · belt tightening · budget cuts · cut corners · ease off · economize · phase out · wind down · diminish · lessen · rationalization · taper · shrink · slash · contraction
scales backdoubles down
Increases commitment despite risk
swings for the fences · pushes forward · overreaches · overextends · bites off more than one can chew
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