1 B2 neutral
To clean a surface, especially a floor or ship's deck, by scrubbing it with a wet mop or cloth.
"The sailors were ordered to swab down the deck before the captain's inspection."
separable
swab down
B2 neutral separable transitive
To clean a surface, deck, or area thoroughly by scrubbing it with a wet mop, cloth, or swab.
In plain English
To clean a floor or surface by rubbing it hard with a wet mop or cloth.
What does "swab down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
In medical or laboratory contexts, to clean a surface, wound, or area using a swab and antiseptic solution.
"The nurse swabbed down the operating table with disinfectant before the next procedure."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To swab (clean with a swab) something down.
Actually means
To clean a floor or surface by rubbing it hard with a wet mop or cloth.
Usage tip
Common in nautical contexts ('swab the deck'). Also used in medical and laboratory settings for cleaning surfaces with antiseptic. Less common in everyday domestic use, where 'mop down' or 'wipe down' would be more typical.
Words that pair with "swab down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
deck floor surface countertop wound area
How to conjugate "swab down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
swab down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
swabs down
he/she/it
Past simple
swabed down
yesterday
Past participle
swabed down
have + pp
-ing form
swabing down
continuous
Hear "swab down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "swab down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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