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dust down

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To brush or wipe the dust off something or someone, especially to make it ready to use again.

Literal meaning: To dust (clean) something in a downward motion — largely transparent.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To remove dust or dirt from a surface, object, or clothing, usually by brushing or wiping.

"He dusted down the old bookcase before moving it into the new house."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To recover composure or pick yourself up after a failure, setback, or difficult experience.

"She dusted herself down after the rejection and started working on her next application."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

More common in British English than American, where 'dust off' tends to be preferred. Often used figuratively to mean reviving or refreshing something old. The reflexive use ('dust yourself down') means to recover composure after a setback.

Commonly used with

jacket shelf plans skills outfit yourself

Forms

Base
dust down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dusts down
he/she/it
Past simple
dusted down
yesterday
Past participle
dusted down
have + pp
-ing form
dusting down
continuous

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