clean down
B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To scrub or wipe a surface clean, usually going from top to bottom.
Literal meaning: To clean in a downward direction across a surface.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To clean a surface completely, especially by scrubbing or wiping from top to bottom.
"Before painting, you should clean down the walls to remove any grease and dirt."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Common in British English for cleaning walls, equipment, vehicles, and animals. The 'down' adds the sense of completeness and thoroughness — cleaning the whole thing from top to bottom.
Commonly used with
wall horse equipment lorry kitchen surface
Forms
Base
clean down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cleans down
he/she/it
Past simple
cleaned down
yesterday
Past participle
cleaned down
have + pp
-ing form
cleaning down
continuous
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