1 C1 informal
To put something down heavily or carelessly.
"She planked down her heavy suitcase in the middle of the hallway."
separable
plank down
C1 informal separable transitive
To put something down heavily or carelessly; or to pay a sum of money bluntly and immediately.
In plain English
To drop something down hard without being gentle, or to pay money quickly without arguing.
What does "plank down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
To pay a sum of money immediately and without hesitation.
"He planked down five hundred dollars for the antique watch without even checking his wallet."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To drop something flat like a plank of wood — evokes a heavy, solid, flat impact.
Actually means
To drop something down hard without being gentle, or to pay money quickly without arguing.
Usage tip
Informal and somewhat old-fashioned. Two main uses: (1) placing an object down heavily/carelessly; (2) paying money decisively on the spot (often 'plank down cash'). Both senses evoke the heavy, flat sound of a plank of wood being dropped. More common in American English than British English. 'Plonk down' is the British equivalent.
Words that pair with "plank down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
cash money bag tray files books
How to conjugate "plank down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
plank down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
planks down
he/she/it
Past simple
planked down
yesterday
Past participle
planked down
have + pp
-ing form
planking down
continuous
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