| scale back something scale back (something) to reduce the size or amount of something. The search for the child was scaled back sharply today, with almost a third of the volunteers heading home. The program was very effective, but the plan now is to scale it back. Usage notes: also used in the form scale down: The original jury award of $10 million was scaled down to $250,000 by the judge. Opposite of: ramp up (something) |