1 B2 neutral
To search a person for hidden weapons or contraband by running the hands firmly over their body and clothing.
"Security guards padded down each visitor before allowing them entry to the backstage area."
separable
pad down
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To search someone by patting their body, or to go to bed or a sleeping place.
In plain English
Feel someone's body with your hands to check for hidden things, or go to your bed.
What does "pad down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
(Informal) To go to bed or to settle into a sleeping place.
"After the long drive, everyone padded down as soon as we reached the hostel."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pad (press softly) downward over a surface — the security sense is fairly transparent.
Actually means
Feel someone's body with your hands to check for hidden things, or go to your bed.
Usage tip
The 'search' sense is a variant of 'pat down' and is used in law enforcement and security contexts. The 'go to sleep' sense is informal and dialectal, primarily heard in informal British and Irish English.
Words that pair with "pad down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
suspect passenger guest security bed sleep
How to conjugate "pad down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pad down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pads down
he/she/it
Past simple
paded down
yesterday
Past participle
paded down
have + pp
-ing form
pading down
continuous
Hear "pad down" in the wild
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