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to triple down

to triple down

1 7.5
To increase effort or commitment after a problem, often despite risk
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈtrɪpəl daʊn/
  • Informal
translation icon : redoblar esfuerzos
  • After failing the last exam, I decided to triple down on my studies and put in extra hours every day.
  • double or triple down

Arrogantly said we're just gonna triple down on reality TV.

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Examples

  • If you sit there and have that mentality of triple down on what you're good at, you're never going to grow.

  • OK, you need to triple down on building out all those things.

  • Arrogantly said we're just gonna triple down on reality TV.

  • When I say refactor relationships, I triple down on family relationships.

  • So, Bill, I would say you've got to triple down on your relationship investment.

  • I, I think that frankly, if I want to really double and triple down, I just have to spend a bunch of time in a few major cities.

  • I want to again double, triple down on the idea that hope is humble and receptive to the future.

  • I certainly hope the GOP listens, but they could triple down on this whole thing and win fairly easily.

    Blog text (27)
  • The Romney campaign will spend the day doubling and tripling down on this message.

    Blog text (15)
  • And so I I'm doubling down, I'm tripling down on those as essential to the point where nothing else really happens for very long unless those five things are tended to.

Synonyms

to double down
vsto triple down
  • Informal
53 6.5

To try harder to continue something even when people disagree or it is risky

also increases effort level especially after a setback or risky situation
to buckle down
vsto triple down
  • Informal
11 4.4

To start working hard and seriously after wasting time

increases commitment or effort after setbacks rather than just starting work
to knuckle down
vsto triple down
  • Informal
4 4.5

To start working hard after not doing much before

increases commitment or effort after setbacks rather than merely beginning work
to find another gear
vsto triple down
  • Informal
1 6.8

To work harder or faster when facing a challenge

applies to increasing commitment after a setback or in risky situations

Antonyms

466 2.8

To stop taking part in a place or activity

59 3.9

Stop supporting or taking part in a plan because you feel unsure

How Committed

to go all in
  • Informal
15 5.2
to triple down
  • Informal
1 7.5
to double down
  • Informal
53 6.5
to continue
1.0
to hesitate
318 2.5

Surface Forms

triple down infinitive
tripled down past participle
tripling down present participle
triples down third person singular

Morphology

triple + down

While 'triple' clearly signals an increase in magnitude, the particle 'down' here has an idiomatic/figurative force (as in 'double down') meaning to strengthen or increase commitment rather than a literal downward direction. A B1 learner who knows the parts may partially infer an increase but would likely not predict the specific pragmatic sense of recommitting or intensifying effort without prior exposure, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Triple down comes from a gambling picture: triple means 'three times' and down refers to putting money 'down' as a bet. So, to triple down means to increase your bet or your effort, to 'commit' even more after a problem.