What does "scythe down" mean (sense 1)?

To cut down crops, grass, or plants using a scythe in a sweeping motion Example: "The farmhands scythed down the tall grass along the edge of the field."

What does "scythe down" mean (sense 2)?

(Figurative) To kill, injure, or eliminate many people rapidly and indiscriminately, often in a war or attack Example: "The machine gun fire scythed down the advancing soldiers before they could reach the trench."

What does "scythe down" mean (sense 3)?

(Sports journalism) To knock a player off their feet with a strong, sweeping tackle or challenge Example: "The defender scythed down the winger in the penalty area and conceded a penalty."

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scythe down

C1 neutral separable transitive

To knock down, kill, or eliminate many people or things in a swift, sweeping manner

In plain English

To cut down or knock over a lot of people or things very quickly, like cutting grass with a big curved blade

What does "scythe down" mean?

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

1 C1 neutral

uncommon

To cut down crops, grass, or plants using a scythe in a sweeping motion

"The farmhands scythed down the tall grass along the edge of the field."

separable

2 C1 idiomatic neutral

uncommon

(Figurative) To kill, injure, or eliminate many people rapidly and indiscriminately, often in a war or attack

"The machine gun fire scythed down the advancing soldiers before they could reach the trench."

“

Disease scythed down the population.

separable

3 C1 idiomatic neutral

uncommon

(Sports journalism) To knock a player off their feet with a strong, sweeping tackle or challenge

"The defender scythed down the winger in the penalty area and conceded a penalty."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To cut downward with a scythe (a large curved blade on a long handle) — literal use is transparent; figurative extension from this

Actually means

To cut down or knock over a lot of people or things very quickly, like cutting grass with a big curved blade

Usage tip

Both literal (using a scythe to cut grass or crops) and figurative (killing or eliminating many people or things rapidly). The figurative use is common in journalism and literary writing to describe mass casualties or overwhelming victories. Evokes the image of Death holding a scythe.

Words that pair with "scythe down"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

troops players crops opposition grass victims

How to conjugate "scythe down"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

scythe down

I/you/we/they

3rd person

scythes down

he/she/it

Past simple

scythed down

yesterday

Past participle

scythed down

have + pp

-ing form

scything down

continuous

Hear "scythe down" in the wild

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

Other ways to say "scythe down"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

cut down devastate fell mow down strike down sweep away

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

All phrasal verbs with "scythe" All phrasal verbs with "down" More C1-level phrasal verbs