butter down
C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To cover something with butter by spreading it.
Literal meaning: To apply butter in a downward spreading motion.
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
To spread butter over the surface of something, covering it thoroughly.
"Make sure you butter down both sides of the bread before you put it in the pan."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Not a widely established phrasal verb; 'butter' used alone ('butter the bread') is far more common. 'Butter down' is occasionally heard to emphasise thoroughness of covering. Very low frequency.
Commonly used with
bread pan toast roll surface dish
Forms
Base
butter down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
butters down
he/she/it
Past simple
buttered down
yesterday
Past participle
buttered down
have + pp
-ing form
buttering down
continuous
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Synonyms
butter grease coat with butter spread butter on
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