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plank down

C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To drop something down hard without being gentle, or to pay money quickly without arguing.

Literal meaning: To drop something flat like a plank of wood — evokes a heavy, solid, flat impact.

Meanings

1 C1 informal

To put something down heavily or carelessly.

"She planked down her heavy suitcase in the middle of the hallway."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 idiomatic informal

To pay a sum of money immediately and without hesitation.

"He planked down five hundred dollars for the antique watch without even checking his wallet."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Informal and somewhat old-fashioned. Two main uses: (1) placing an object down heavily/carelessly; (2) paying money decisively on the spot (often 'plank down cash'). Both senses evoke the heavy, flat sound of a plank of wood being dropped. More common in American English than British English. 'Plonk down' is the British equivalent.

Commonly used with

cash money bag tray files books

Forms

Base
plank down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
planks down
he/she/it
Past simple
planked down
yesterday
Past participle
planked down
have + pp
-ing form
planking down
continuous

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Synonyms

plonk down slam down drop dump set down fork out

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