1 C1 idiomatic informal
To manage to swallow food or drink with difficulty, especially when feeling anxious, ill, or upset.
"She worried down a few bites of toast before the interview, even though she had no appetite."
separable
worry down
C1 informal separable transitive
To manage to swallow food or drink with difficulty, especially when anxious or nauseous.
In plain English
To barely manage to eat or drink something because you are too nervous or upset to eat properly.
What does "worry down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To worry (struggle) something 'down' the throat — metaphor of effortful swallowing.
Actually means
To barely manage to eat or drink something because you are too nervous or upset to eat properly.
Usage tip
A rare phrase. The 'worry' here draws on an older sense of the word meaning to struggle with or move something with difficulty (as in a dog worrying a bone). Very infrequent in modern English; learners are unlikely to encounter it in everyday speech. 'Force down' or 'choke down' are more common alternatives.
Words that pair with "worry down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
food meal pill breakfast drink
How to conjugate "worry down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
worry down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
worries down
he/she/it
Past simple
worried down
yesterday
Past participle
worried down
have + pp
-ing form
worrying down
continuous
Hear "worry down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "worry down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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