1 A2 neutral
To lower one's body by bending at the waist or knees, usually to reach something near the ground.
"She bent down to pick up the coin that had fallen under the table."
inseparable
bend down
A2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To move your body downward by bending at the waist or knees.
In plain English
To lower your body toward the floor by bending in the middle.
What does "bend down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To lower one's head and upper body to pass under something or avoid being seen.
"Bend down — there's a low beam just ahead of you."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bend one's body in a downward direction.
Actually means
To lower your body toward the floor by bending in the middle.
Usage tip
Very common and transparent in meaning. Frequently used when picking something up off the floor. Interchangeable with 'bend over' in many contexts, though 'bend down' emphasises the downward direction more.
Words that pair with "bend down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pick up reach floor ground tie look
How to conjugate "bend down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bend down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bends down
he/she/it
Past simple
bended down
yesterday
Past participle
bended down
have + pp
-ing form
bending down
continuous
Hear "bend down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bend down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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