press down
B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To push something down firmly with your hand or another object.
Literal meaning: Applying physical force in a downward direction — entirely transparent.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To apply continuous downward pressure on something with your hand, foot, or a tool.
"Press down firmly on the lid until you hear it click into place."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
To oppress or burden someone, causing them to feel weighed down.
"The weight of his responsibilities pressed him down until he could barely function."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Used in practical, everyday instructions — cooking, driving, operating machinery. Can be used figuratively in rare literary contexts to mean suppressing something. Most commonly appears in instructions: 'press down firmly'. Completely transparent in meaning.
Commonly used with
button pedal lid key surface dough brake
Forms
Base
press down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
presses down
he/she/it
Past simple
pressed down
yesterday
Past participle
pressed down
have + pp
-ing form
pressing down
continuous
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Synonyms
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