Browse all

ice down

B1 informal separable transitive

To apply ice to something, especially a body part or drinks, in order to cool or reduce swelling.

In plain English

To put ice on something to make it cold or to stop swelling.

What does "ice down" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B1 informal

To apply ice to an injured body part to reduce pain or swelling.

"The trainer told him to ice down his knee after the fall."

separable
2 B1 informal

To cool drinks or food by packing them in or covering them with ice.

"We iced down the sodas in a big cooler for the barbecue."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To put ice down on top of something — fairly transparent.

Actually means

To put ice on something to make it cold or to stop swelling.

Usage tip

Very common in American sports and medical contexts ('ice down the injury'). Also used for cooling food and drinks at parties or events ('ice down the beers'). Chiefly American English.

Words that pair with "ice down"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

injury knee ankle beer drinks cooler

How to conjugate "ice down"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
ice down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
ices down
he/she/it
Past simple
iced down
yesterday
Past participle
iced down
have + pp
-ing form
icing down
continuous

Hear "ice down" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "ice down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.