top-down reasoning
nounUK /ˌtɒp ˈdaʊn ˈriːzənɪŋ/
US /ˌtɑːp ˈdaʊn ˈriːzənɪŋ/
A way of thinking that starts with the big idea and then breaks it into smaller parts.
Using top-down reasoning, she first picked the main topic and then filled in the details.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In computing, a method of designing software by starting with the overall system and dividing it into smaller pieces.
The team used top-down reasoning to plan the app's structure before writing any code.
3. In reading, understanding a text by using prior knowledge and expectations rather than only the words on the page.
Good readers use top-down reasoning to guess meaning from context.
4. A management style where decisions come from leaders and flow down to workers.
The company's top-down reasoning meant the boss made all the choices.