down grade, down-grade, n. orig. U.S.
[see grade.]
lit. A downward gradient, a descending slope (on a railway, etc.); hence fig. A downward course or tendency in morals, religion, etc. Also attrib. and as adv.
| 1858 Harper's Weekly 31 July 483 A train thunders along a down-grade. 1872 ‘Mark Twain’ Roughing It xvii. 141 A ‘down grade’, a flying coach, a fragrant pipe and a contented heart—these make happiness. 1872 Newton Kansan 19 Sept. 4/3 Greeleyism has struck the down grade. 1876 J. Miller Life amongst Modocs vi. 76 He [sc. the stage-driver]..said:—‘Boys, I am on the down grade, and can't reach the brake!’ and sank down and died. And so it is that ‘the down grade’, an expression born of the death of the old stage-driver, has a meaning with us now. 1878 B. F. Taylor Between Gates 13 The down grade has begun. Let the engines take breath. 1885 Harper's Mag. Apr. 690/2 The train keeps on its rapid down-grade run. 1887 Spurgeon (title) Four Articles on the Down-Grade. 1888 Pall Mall G. 24 Apr. 11/1 The Baptist Union..both parties in the ‘down-grade controversy’ having marshalled their forces. 1890 Daily News 8 Dec. 2/1. 1895 Westm. Gaz. 19 Apr. 3/2 A study in the down-grade of a village girl from seduction..to prostitution. 1901 Merwin & Webster Calumet ‘K’ xi. 199 They'd all strike like a freight train rolling down grade. |