BBC: Weight- loss drugs reduce cancer risk-2

So this study used earlier versions of the weight loss drugs known as GLP1s, which were initially brought out to treat diabetes. 

Since the study began, newer: more effective drugs have come out, and the authors of the study say these may be even more beneficial for reducing cancer risks. 

Okay, let's look at our next headline. 

This one is from Sky News. Weight loss jabs could almost halve risk of obesity related cancers beyond slimming down, study suggests. 

And again, that headline from Sky News Weight loss jabs could almost halve risk of obesity related cancers beyond slimming down study suggests. 

This headline is about the drugs having effects beyond just weight loss. And we see that word halve again, but this time we're looking at the phrasal, verb slim down. 

So you might know the adjective slim, which has a similar meaning to thin. But what about the verb slim down?

Well, it has two meanings. Both are related to making something smaller. Here in the headline, it means become thinner by losing weight. The jabs have effects that go beyond just slimming down. 

Another example, my dad says he wants to slim down before our friend's wedding so he can fit into his old suit. 

Slim down can also mean to reduce something in size or quantity. Now, this is usually used in a business setting. 

Yeah. So, for example, the company needs to slim down its workforce to cut costs. 

We've had slim down become thinner. 

For example, his doctor told him that slimming down was important for his health. That's it for this episode of Learning English from the News. We'll be back next week with another news story.