1 B1 neutral
To clean a surface completely, especially by scrubbing or wiping from top to bottom.
"Before painting, you should clean down the walls to remove any grease and dirt."
separable
clean down
B1 neutral separable transitive
To clean a surface thoroughly, typically from top to bottom.
In plain English
To scrub or wipe a surface clean, usually going from top to bottom.
What does "clean down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To clean in a downward direction across a surface.
Actually means
To scrub or wipe a surface clean, usually going from top to bottom.
Usage tip
Common in British English for cleaning walls, equipment, vehicles, and animals. The 'down' adds the sense of completeness and thoroughness — cleaning the whole thing from top to bottom.
Words that pair with "clean down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
wall horse equipment lorry kitchen surface
How to conjugate "clean down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
clean down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cleans down
he/she/it
Past simple
cleaned down
yesterday
Past participle
cleaned down
have + pp
-ing form
cleaning down
continuous
Hear "clean down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "clean down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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