mow down

B2 informal separable transitive

In simple words

To knock down or kill lots of people quickly, like cutting grass with a mower.

Literal meaning: A lawn mower cuts grass down in a sweeping motion — the violent sense is a direct metaphorical extension.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

uncommon

To kill a large number of people rapidly, especially with a weapon or vehicle.

"The soldiers were mowed down by enemy machine gun fire before they could reach cover."

"They were mowed down by a gunman who opened fire without warning."

Grammar: separable

2 B2 idiomatic informal

rare

To knock down or overwhelm a group physically, such as in a sports context.

"The fullback mowed down three defenders on his way to the try line."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Strongly associated with violence — gunfire, vehicles, or weapons. Used in journalism, war reports, and fiction. Not appropriate for casual conversation. The metaphor comes from a lawn mower cutting grass.

Commonly used with

crowd soldiers pedestrians protesters civilians gunfire

Forms

Base

mow down

I/you/we/they

3rd person

mows down

he/she/it

Past simple

mowed down

yesterday

Past participle

mowed down

have + pp

-ing form

mowing down

continuous

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Synonyms

gun down cut down massacre slaughter run down knock down

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