sand down
B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To rub sandpaper on something to make it smooth.
Literal meaning: To sand (rub with sandpaper) something down to a smooth state — transparent.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To make a surface smooth by rubbing it with sandpaper, removing roughness or old coatings.
"You need to sand down the door before you paint it, otherwise the paint won't stick."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral
To reduce the size or thickness of something slightly by sanding.
"The drawer was sticking, so he sanded down the sides until it slid smoothly."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Common in DIY, woodworking, and carpentry contexts. Used in British and American English. The object is usually a wooden surface, though it can apply to other materials.
Commonly used with
wood surface floor furniture door edge
Forms
Base
sand down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sands down
he/she/it
Past simple
sanded down
yesterday
Past participle
sanded down
have + pp
-ing form
sanding down
continuous
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