What are the definitions of “batter down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To forcefully break down.
Police battered down her door and found the girl.
- 2To break down forcefully or violently.
Some escaped after a bouncer battered down a partition wall.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “batter down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb batter down is to forcefully break down something, such as a door or a wall. It often implies using physical force or violence to destroy or damage an object or barrier.
What are the different verb forms of “batter down”?
| Root Verb | batter down |
| Third Person Singular Present | batters down |
| Present Participle | battering down |
| Simple Past | battered down |
| Past Participle | battered down |
Example
The firefighters had to batter down the door to rescue the trapped family.
Example
He batters down the old fence to make room for a new one.
Example
The storm is battering down trees and power lines.
Example
The police battered down the door to arrest the suspect.
Example
The door had been battered down during the break-in.
What kind of phrasal verb is “batter down”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“batter down” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The wind battered down the old shed.
Example
They battered the door down to enter the building.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“batter down” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The wind battered down the old shed.
Example
They battered the door down to enter the building.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “batter down”?
Overcome opposition or resistance, often through force or persistence.
Example
The team had to batter down resistance from their opponents to win the game.
Good things to know
Does “batter down” have an informal or formal tone?
Batter down is generally considered a neutral phrasal verb. It can be used in both informal and formal contexts, depending on the situation. In everyday conversations, it is commonly used to describe physical actions or events. In more formal settings, it may be used metaphorically to describe overcoming challenges or breaking through barriers.
