1 B2 informal
To drink something quickly, greedily, or in large amounts, often with a connotation of excess or poor manners.
"He swilled down three pints of beer before the match had even reached half-time."
separable
swill down
B2 informal separable transitive
To drink something in large, rushed amounts, often implying messiness or excess, or to rinse a surface by sloshing water over it.
In plain English
To drink something fast and in big amounts without being careful, or to clean something by throwing a lot of water on it.
What does "swill down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To rinse or clean a surface by flooding it with water.
"She swilled down the patio after the barbecue to get rid of the grease."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To swill (slosh liquid around) in a downward direction — drinking down or washing downward with water.
Actually means
To drink something fast and in big amounts without being careful, or to clean something by throwing a lot of water on it.
Usage tip
Carries a negative or disapproving connotation when used for drinking — it suggests greediness or lack of refinement. The cleaning sense (rinsing a surface with water) is more neutral. Primarily British English in the cleaning sense.
Words that pair with "swill down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
beer drink water yard patio pills
How to conjugate "swill down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
swill down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
swills down
he/she/it
Past simple
swilled down
yesterday
Past participle
swilled down
have + pp
-ing form
swilling down
continuous
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