bar down
C1 neutral separable both
In simple words
To lock something shut using a bar across it; in hockey, to score by hitting the puck off the crossbar into the goal.
Literal meaning: To bring a bar down across something to secure it — relatively transparent in the physical sense.
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
To secure or block a door, gate, or hatch by placing a bar across it.
"The innkeeper barred down the cellar door before the storm hit."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
slang
(Ice hockey slang) A shot that hits the underside of the crossbar and drops down into the net for a goal.
"He rifled a bar-down shot in the final minute to win the game."
Usage notes
The general sense is rare in everyday speech. The ice hockey sense is very specific North American sports slang and is celebrated as a particularly impressive shot.
Commonly used with
door gate hatch crossbar net shot
Forms
Base
bar down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bars down
he/she/it
Past simple
bared down
yesterday
Past participle
bared down
have + pp
-ing form
baring down
continuous
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