1 C1 idiomatic informal
(British informal) To go somewhere quickly, especially for a short visit or errand.
"I'll just whip down to the corner shop and grab some milk — I'll be back in ten minutes."
inseparable
whip down
C1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To go somewhere quickly; or to pull something downward in a fast, sharp movement.
In plain English
To go to a place very fast; or to pull something down very quickly.
What does "whip down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
To pull or move something downward in a fast, sharp movement.
"She whipped down the blinds as soon as she saw the reporters approaching."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move downward with the quick motion of a whip crack.
Actually means
To go to a place very fast; or to pull something down very quickly.
Usage tip
Primarily British informal. In the movement sense, it suggests a quick, short trip: 'I'll just whip down to the shops.' In the physical sense, it refers to pulling or moving something downward rapidly.
Words that pair with "whip down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
shops road stairs blinds curtain
How to conjugate "whip down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
whip down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
whips down
he/she/it
Past simple
whiped down
yesterday
Past participle
whiped down
have + pp
-ing form
whiping down
continuous
Hear "whip down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "whip down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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