cheese down
C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To wind a rope into a flat, circular coil on the deck of a boat, like the shape of a round wheel of cheese.
Literal meaning: To coil (rope) 'down' into a flat disc shape resembling a cheese — fully literal in maritime use.
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
In sailing and seafaring, to coil a rope in a flat, circular spiral on the deck.
"Once the anchor was set, the first mate cheesed down the remaining line neatly on the foredeck."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Exclusively a nautical/sailing term. Very rare outside seafaring contexts. The noun 'cheese' in this context refers to the finished coiled shape. Not used in everyday general English.
Commonly used with
rope line cable deck coil
Forms
Base
cheese down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cheeses down
he/she/it
Past simple
cheesed down
yesterday
Past participle
cheesed down
have + pp
-ing form
cheesing down
continuous
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