drill down

To study something closely to understand its smaller parts or underlying causes.

• We need to drill down further.
• The team drilled down into the problem.
• Can you drill down on the reasons sales fell?

How to use it: drill down into something (We need to drill down into the reasons for the delay.); drill down on something (The report drills down on the main causes of waste.)

Similar words: investigate, examine closely

Common phrases: drill down into something, drill down further

To open more detailed information, often by selecting part of a computer report.

• Click here to drill down.
• We drilled down into the customer records.
• Users can drill down to see each payment.

How to use it: drill down into something (Click a name to drill down into the employee records.); drill down to something (You can drill down to individual transactions.)

Similar words: explore details

Common phrases: drill down into records, drill down to details

To replace a general view of data with a view showing smaller groups or individual details.

• Drill down to see monthly sales.
• She drilled down from country totals to city figures.
• The chart lets you drill down by product.

How to use it: drill down from A to B (Drill down from yearly totals to monthly figures.); drill down by something (You can drill down by region to compare local sales.)

Similar words: break down data

Common phrases: drill down to months, drill down by region

To practice particular movements or skills repeatedly until you know them well.

• We drilled down on our defensive moves.
• The coach wants us to drill down on passing.
• They drill down on these movements every morning.

How to use it: drill down on something (The players drilled down on blocking shots.)

Similar words: drill, practice

Common phrases: drill down on defense, drill down on something

To score points successfully in basketball, especially by making shots.

• He drilled down shots all evening.
• Our guards drilled down three-pointers in the final quarter.
• She kept drilling down baskets despite the tight defense.

How to use it: drill down + shots (She drilled down three-pointers throughout the game.)

Similar words: score

Common phrases: drill down shots, drill down three-pointers

A marching contest where people leave after making mistakes, until one person remains.

• The cadets held a drill down.
• She won the drill down without missing a command.
• Only three people remained in the drill down.

Common phrases: a drill down, win the drill down