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swill down

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To drink something fast and in big amounts without being careful, or to clean something by throwing a lot of water on it.

Literal meaning: To swill (slosh liquid around) in a downward direction — drinking down or washing downward with water.

Meanings

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."

Grammar: separable
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."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

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.

Commonly used with

beer drink water yard patio pills

Forms

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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Synonyms

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