1 A2 neutral
To apply continuous downward pressure on something with your hand, foot, or a tool.
"Press down firmly on the lid until you hear it click into place."
separable
press down
B1 neutral separable transitive
To apply steady downward pressure on something.
In plain English
To push something down firmly with your hand or another object.
What does "press down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic formal
To oppress or burden someone, causing them to feel weighed down.
"The weight of his responsibilities pressed him down until he could barely function."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Applying physical force in a downward direction — entirely transparent.
Actually means
To push something down firmly with your hand or another object.
Usage tip
Used in practical, everyday instructions — cooking, driving, operating machinery. Can be used figuratively in rare literary contexts to mean suppressing something. Most commonly appears in instructions: 'press down firmly'. Completely transparent in meaning.
Words that pair with "press down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
button pedal lid key surface dough brake
How to conjugate "press down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
press down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
presses down
he/she/it
Past simple
pressed down
yesterday
Past participle
pressed down
have + pp
-ing form
pressing down
continuous
Hear "press down" in the wild
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Other ways to say "press down"
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