Definition of "down-grade" []

• A downward sloping portion of a road or railway; hence, figuratively, a downward moral course. (noun)
• Sloping downward; hence, relating to a downward moral course.

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "You are swinging round a sharp, down-grade, mountain curve, at a fast trot."
• "Someone dials 999 to report a burglary in progress and the call receivers down-grade the priority of the call, after all none of the magic words are contained in the log (domestic or hate crime) which would make the screen light up and flash."
• "Poor's single notch down-grade of Ireland's credit rating."