What are the definitions of “bucket down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Rain heavily.
Take an umbrella; it's BUCKETING DOWN.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “bucket down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb bucket down is to rain heavily. It is used to describe a situation when it is raining a lot, and the rain is coming down fast and hard.
What are the different verb forms of “bucket down”?
| Root Verb | bucket down |
| Third Person Singular Present | buckets down |
| Present Participle | bucketing down |
| Simple Past | bucketed down |
| Past Participle | bucketed down |
Example
It started to bucket down just as we left the house.
Example
When it buckets down, the streets flood quickly.
Example
It is bucketing down outside, so we should stay indoors.
Example
It bucketed down all day yesterday, causing traffic problems.
Example
The rain had bucketed down all night, leaving the ground soaked.
What kind of phrasal verb is “bucket 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.)
Intransitive verb
“bucket down” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
It bucketed down all day.
Example
The rain bucketed down heavily.
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
“bucket 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
It bucketed down all day.
Example
The rain bucketed down heavily.
Good things to know
Does “bucket down” have an informal or formal tone?
Bucket down is an informal phrasal verb used in everyday speech. It is more commonly used in casual conversations and may not be appropriate for formal writing or situations. In formal contexts, you can use alternatives like 'rain heavily' or 'pour down'.
