relegate
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
To consign or assign something to an inferior rank, position, or state of importance, often as a form of dismissal or downgrading.
To transfer (a sports team) to a lower division. To give over to a particular authority or area of study.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core sense involves moving something to a position of less significance. The sports usage is a specific, conventional application. It often carries a negative connotation of neglect or demotion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The sports sense (e.g., "relegated from the Premier League") is far more common in British English due to the promotion/relegation system in football. In American English, sports usage is rare (except in context of international football) and the general/demotion sense predominates.
Connotations
In both varieties, it implies a loss of status. In UK sports context, it is a major, concrete event with significant consequences.
Frequency
Higher frequency in British English, primarily due to pervasive sports journalism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
relegate + object + to + noun phrasebe/get relegated + (from + noun phrase) + to + noun phraseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “relegate to the scrapheap”
- “relegate to the back burner”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new CEO relegated several legacy projects to a lower priority.
Academic
The historian argued against relegating these primary sources to mere footnotes.
Everyday
I relegated my old winter coat to the back of the wardrobe.
Technical
The software update relegated the old API to deprecated status.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- If they lose this match, they could be relegated.
- He relegated the old files to the archive.
American English
- Management relegated the proposal to a committee for review.
- She didn't want to relegate her personal life to a lower priority.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The manager relegated the noisy printer to a small room.
- Old toys were relegated to the attic.
- The invention of email relegated fax machines to obsolescence.
- After the scandal, the minister was relegated to a backbench role.
- The philosopher sought to challenge ideas that relegate emotion to an inferior position relative to reason.
- The team faced the ignominy of being relegated after a disastrous season.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LEGATE (an official). To RE-LEGATE is to send an official back down to a lower rank or less important post.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS HEIGHT / STATUS IS POSITION (downgrading is moving downwards or to the periphery).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'релегация' (это не слово).
- Не является прямым синонимом 'делегировать' (to delegate).
- Чаще переводится как 'отодвинуть на второй план', 'понизить в статусе', 'отправить в низшую лигу'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *They relegated him the task. Correct: They relegated him to a minor task / They delegated the task to him.
- Confusing 'relegate' (downgrade) with 'delegate' (assign a task).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'relegate' MOST commonly used in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Delegate' means to entrust a task or responsibility to someone else. 'Relegate' means to assign someone or something to a lower or less important rank or position.
Rarely. It is almost always negative, implying demotion or neglect. A possible neutral/positive use might be: 'She relegated her work worries to the back of her mind during the holiday.'
Very rarely, as most major US sports leagues do not have a promotion and relegation system. It is used when discussing global football (soccer) or metaphorically.
Relegation. Example: 'The team fought to avoid relegation.'