1 B2 neutral
To reduce or control a fire by restricting its air supply, covering it with ash, or adding moisture.
"The firefighters damped down the embers to prevent the blaze from reigniting overnight."
separable
damp down
B2 neutral separable transitive
To reduce the intensity of something — a fire, a feeling, or a situation — by suppressing or moderating it.
In plain English
To make something less strong or less likely to get out of control.
What does "damp down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To reduce or suppress the strength of a feeling, reaction, or situation.
"The central bank's statement damped down fears of an imminent interest rate rise."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make something damp (wet) so it goes down (reduces in intensity).
Actually means
To make something less strong or less likely to get out of control.
Usage tip
Has both literal uses (e.g. reducing a fire by covering it with ash or closing vents) and figurative uses (e.g. reducing speculation or enthusiasm). The figurative sense is common in journalism and formal writing.
Words that pair with "damp down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
fire flames speculation enthusiasm tension fears
How to conjugate "damp down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
damp down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
damps down
he/she/it
Past simple
damped down
yesterday
Past participle
damped down
have + pp
-ing form
damping down
continuous
Hear "damp down" in the wild
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Keep exploring
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