1 B1 neutral
To use a drink to help swallow food, a pill, or medicine.
"Take the tablet and wash it down with a full glass of water."
separable
wash down
B1 neutral separable transitive
To clean a large surface by washing it with water, or to swallow food or medicine using a drink.
In plain English
Use water to clean a big surface, or drink something to help you swallow food or a pill.
What does "wash down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To clean a large surface by washing it down with water.
"He spent Saturday morning washing down the garden walls."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To wash in a downward direction.
Actually means
Use water to clean a big surface, or drink something to help you swallow food or a pill.
Usage tip
Two distinct senses that are both very common. The eating/drinking sense ('wash it down with water') is universally understood. The cleaning sense is often used for walls, vehicles, or large surfaces.
Words that pair with "wash down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pill tablet meal food walls car deck water beer
How to conjugate "wash down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wash down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
washes down
he/she/it
Past simple
washed down
yesterday
Past participle
washed down
have + pp
-ing form
washing down
continuous
Hear "wash down" in the wild
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Other ways to say "wash down"
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