winnow down
C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To sort through a big group and get rid of the ones that don't make the cut, leaving only the best.
Literal meaning: To winnow grain is to blow away the chaff, leaving only the valuable kernels — the metaphor maps directly onto selection processes.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
neutral
To reduce a large set of people, options, or items by a careful process of selection and elimination.
"The committee winnowed down three hundred applications to a shortlist of twelve."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
From the agricultural process of winnowing grain — tossing it into the air so the wind blows away the chaff. Common in formal writing, journalism, and academic contexts. Used when describing the selection process for candidates, options, or ideas.
Commonly used with
candidates options list applicants choices field
Forms
Base
winnow down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
winnows down
he/she/it
Past simple
winnowed down
yesterday
Past participle
winnowed down
have + pp
-ing form
winnowing down
continuous
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