1 B2 neutral
(US) To knock someone or something down with great force, typically with a moving vehicle.
"The distracted driver plowed down a row of mailboxes on the quiet street."
separable
plow down
B2 neutral separable transitive
American English: to knock down or crash into something with heavy, unstoppable force.
In plain English
To hit something very hard with a vehicle or large object and knock it over.
What does "plow down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
A plow knocking and pushing things down as it moves forward.
Actually means
To hit something very hard with a vehicle or large object and knock it over.
Usage tip
American English spelling of 'plough down.' Used in news reports about accidents. Also used in American football contexts for running through opposing players. Less common than 'mow down' or 'run down.'
Words that pair with "plow down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pedestrian barrier fence defender cyclist cone
How to conjugate "plow down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
plow down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plows down
he/she/it
Past simple
plowed down
yesterday
Past participle
plowed down
have + pp
-ing form
plowing down
continuous
Hear "plow down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "plow down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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