trickle down


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trickle down

1. Of a liquid, to flow or seep downward in drops or a thin stream. As the ice cream melted, it began tricking down Billy's arm. After dropping the jug, he just watched helplessly as all the wine trickled down the steps of the porch.
2. To distribute, pass, or diffuse to people lower on a hierarchical structure. The famous economical model posits that, should the wealthy be allowed to make as much money as possible, it will trickle down to everyone else in society. You're deluding yourself if you think power within the company is going to trickle down to you just because you're regional manager now.
See also: down, trickle

trickle down

 (to someone or something)
1. Lit. [for a liquid] to seep or dribble downward to reach someone or something. The water trickled down the wall to the floor. It trickled down very slowly.
2. Fig. [for something] to be distributed to someone or something in little bits at a time. The results of the improved economy trickled down to people at lower-income levels. Information about what happened finally trickled down to me.
See also: down, trickle

trickle down

v.
To diffuse downward through some hierarchical structure: The sociology professor believed that money rarely trickles down from the owners of capital to the workers who toil in the factories.
See also: down, trickle
References in periodicals archive ?
so that the benefits of CPEC could trickle down to the common man.
PM vows to further intensify cooperation on CPEC projects
For the money to trickle down to businesses and households banks have to clean up their balance sheets and governments have to act to lower their risk aversion.
EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK : NO ECB RATE CUT DESPITE SPECULATION
Trickle down economics is not so much a legislative policy and more a law of nature.
LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG
There is a trickle down effect of energy prices through all goods and services," said Kenneth McCarthy, an economist at Cushman & Wakefield.
Industry welcomes job figures
According to a source based in the South, producers of primary PET have announced price increases, but they have yet to trickle down to the secondary market.
Steady performers
That rich people will spend their money, which eventually will trickle down to the poor.
The First Green President
So, finally trickle down became clear-as the rest of us were getting squeezed mercilessly at the gas pump, profits were trickling down into the coffers of the oil companies.
Trickle my fancy
Usually automotive high-tech innovations are introduced on large luxury models and trickle down to lesser vehicles.
Electric steering gets a boost: with the move to 42-volt electrical architectures on indefinite hold, OEMs are looking for ways to provide the benefits of electric steering while still using traditional hydraulic systems
making our customers more profitable, helping them make theirs more profitable and reap the trickle down effect.
Vincent J. Rogusky
The obvious trickle down effect of all this success means that more money will be spent in radio.
Good feelings at national NAMA
Although fashion trends from influential European textile shows in Milan and Paris will eventually trickle down into color cosmetics, the process can take at least six months to reach beauty products, according to experts.
How fashion shapes color cosmetics
Virgin producers are expected to seek more increases in 2004, which will trickle down to recycled resins.
Recycled resin prices remain strong
If only that oil money could actually trickle down to the people and communities who need it most--the 1.
When oil wells don't end well: "Publish What You Pay" asks oil companies to help put an end to some slippery business. (margin notes)
It's only a matter of time before HIPAA guidelines trickle down and are required for all firms handling confidential private data.
A giant HIPAA: new guidelines reach far beyond health care industry. (2003 Technology & Business Resource Guide: Privacy Protection)
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