1 B1 neutral
To apply soap thoroughly over the entire surface of something or someone.
"She soaped the dog down before rinsing him off with warm water."
separable
soap down
B1 neutral separable transitive
To thoroughly cover a person, animal, or object with soap in preparation for washing.
In plain English
To put soap all over something or someone to clean it.
What does "soap down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To clean a large surface or object by covering it with soapy water.
"The crew soaped down the deck of the boat every morning."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To apply soap downward over a surface — fully transparent.
Actually means
To put soap all over something or someone to clean it.
Usage tip
A practical, everyday expression used when bathing animals, cleaning large objects like vehicles, or washing a person. More common in British English than American English.
Words that pair with "soap down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
horse car dog child body deck
How to conjugate "soap down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
soap down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
soaps down
he/she/it
Past simple
soaped down
yesterday
Past participle
soaped down
have + pp
-ing form
soaping down
continuous
Hear "soap down" in the wild
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Other ways to say "soap down"
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