neck down
C1 formal separable both
In simple words
To get narrower in the middle or at one end, like the neck of a bottle.
Literal meaning: To shrink like a neck — the shape narrows as a bottle does at its neck.
Meanings
1 C1 formal
In engineering or manufacturing, to reduce the cross-sectional diameter of a material at a specific point.
"The pipe necks down to 10mm at the joint to fit the smaller coupling."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
To reduce or limit something, such as bandwidth or capacity, at a specific point in a system.
"The network necks down at this node, causing a bottleneck during peak hours."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Primarily used in engineering, manufacturing, and telecommunications contexts. In telecom, 'necking down' can refer to reducing bandwidth. Rarely used outside technical fields.
Commonly used with
bandwidth pipe tube channel diameter
Forms
Base
neck down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
necks down
he/she/it
Past simple
necked down
yesterday
Past participle
necked down
have + pp
-ing form
necking down
continuous
Understand "neck down" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
taper constrict narrow reduce in diameter
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "neck down" on Looplines