bite down
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To close your teeth hard on something.
Literal meaning: To close the teeth downward onto something — fully transparent.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To press or clench the teeth together, especially hard or onto an object.
"The dentist told him to bite down on the cotton pad for a few minutes."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To endure pain or difficulty by gritting one's teeth; to push through hardship.
"She bit down on the pain and kept running until she crossed the finish line."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Primarily used in literal, physical contexts — biting on a mouthguard, gum, or to manage pain. Occasionally used figuratively to suggest enduring something difficult. Common in medical and dental contexts.
Commonly used with
hard mouthguard gum lip tongue pain
Forms
Base
bite down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bites down
he/she/it
Past simple
bited down
yesterday
Past participle
bited down
have + pp
-ing form
biting down
continuous
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