pad down
B2 informal separable both
In simple words
Feel someone's body with your hands to check for hidden things, or go to your bed.
Literal meaning: To pad (press softly) downward over a surface — the security sense is fairly transparent.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To search a person for hidden weapons or contraband by running the hands firmly over their body and clothing.
"Security guards padded down each visitor before allowing them entry to the backstage area."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
(Informal) To go to bed or to settle into a sleeping place.
"After the long drive, everyone padded down as soon as we reached the hostel."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
The 'search' sense is a variant of 'pat down' and is used in law enforcement and security contexts. The 'go to sleep' sense is informal and dialectal, primarily heard in informal British and Irish English.
Commonly used with
suspect passenger guest security bed sleep
Forms
Base
pad down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pads down
he/she/it
Past simple
paded down
yesterday
Past participle
paded down
have + pp
-ing form
pading down
continuous
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Synonyms
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