What does "trickle down" mean (sense 1)?

For a liquid to flow slowly downward in a thin, small stream. Example: "Rainwater trickled down the windowpane as the storm eased."

What does "trickle down" mean (sense 2)?

For wealth, benefits, or advantages to slowly pass from wealthy or powerful groups to those with less money or power. Example: "Critics argued that the tax cuts would never actually trickle down to working-class families."

What does "trickle down" mean (sense 3)?

For information, news, or cultural trends to slowly spread downward through layers of society or an organization. Example: "Details of the merger slowly trickled down to employees on the factory floor."

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trickle down

B2 neutral inseparable intransitive

To move or spread slowly and in small amounts from a higher level to a lower one, especially used of money, benefits, or information.

In plain English

When something good or money slowly reaches people at a lower level after starting at the top.

What does "trickle down" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B1 neutral

common

For a liquid to flow slowly downward in a thin, small stream.

"Rainwater trickled down the windowpane as the storm eased."

inseparable

2 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

For wealth, benefits, or advantages to slowly pass from wealthy or powerful groups to those with less money or power.

"Critics argued that the tax cuts would never actually trickle down to working-class families."

“

They believe in the discredited theory of trickle-down economics.
— Barack Obama, campaign speech, 2012

inseparable

3 B2 idiomatic neutral

uncommon

For information, news, or cultural trends to slowly spread downward through layers of society or an organization.

"Details of the merger slowly trickled down to employees on the factory floor."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

For a liquid to flow slowly downward in a thin stream.

Actually means

When something good or money slowly reaches people at a lower level after starting at the top.

Usage tip

Strongly associated with 'trickle-down economics', the political/economic theory that benefits given to the wealthy will eventually reach lower-income groups. Often used skeptically or critically. Also used literally for liquids.

Words that pair with "trickle down"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

benefits wealth money effects profits technology

How to conjugate "trickle down"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

trickle down

I/you/we/they

3rd person

trickles down

he/she/it

Past simple

trickled down

yesterday

Past participle

trickled down

have + pp

-ing form

trickling down

continuous

Hear "trickle down" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "trickle down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "trickle down"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

filter down flow down pass down percolate down seep down work its way down

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Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "trickle" All phrasal verbs with "down" More B2-level phrasal verbs