1 C1 neutral
To spread butter over the surface of something, covering it thoroughly.
"Make sure you butter down both sides of the bread before you put it in the pan."
separable
butter down
C1 neutral separable transitive
To spread butter across the surface of something, especially in a downward or covering motion.
In plain English
To cover something with butter by spreading it.
What does "butter down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To apply butter in a downward spreading motion.
Actually means
To cover something with butter by spreading it.
Usage tip
Not a widely established phrasal verb; 'butter' used alone ('butter the bread') is far more common. 'Butter down' is occasionally heard to emphasise thoroughness of covering. Very low frequency.
Words that pair with "butter down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
bread pan toast roll surface dish
How to conjugate "butter down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
butter down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
butters down
he/she/it
Past simple
buttered down
yesterday
Past participle
buttered down
have + pp
-ing form
buttering down
continuous
Hear "butter down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "butter down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "butter down"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
butter coat with butter grease spread butter on
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