1 C1 neutral
For a horse or similar animal to lower its front end and kick up its hindquarters violently to unseat a rider.
"The stallion bucked down so hard that even the experienced cowboy couldn't hold on."
buck down
C1 neutral intransitive
For a horse or animal to lower its head and kick up its back legs in an attempt to throw off a rider.
In plain English
When a horse puts its head down and kicks its back legs up to throw the rider off.
What does "buck down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For an animal (a buck, horse, etc.) to bow or lower downward.
Actually means
When a horse puts its head down and kicks its back legs up to throw the rider off.
Usage tip
Very specific to equestrian contexts. Rarely used outside of descriptions of horse riding or rodeo. Not to be confused with the more common 'buckle down.'
Words that pair with "buck down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
horse rider bronco saddle rodeo
How to conjugate "buck down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
buck down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bucks down
he/she/it
Past simple
bucked down
yesterday
Past participle
bucked down
have + pp
-ing form
bucking down
continuous
Hear "buck down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "buck down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "buck down"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
buck rear throw unseat
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