trickle down
When something good or money slowly reaches people at a lower level after starting at the top.
Meanings
For a liquid to flow slowly downward in a thin, small stream.
"Rainwater trickled down the windowpane as the storm eased."
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
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."
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.
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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