What are the definitions of “crumb down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Clear a table in a restaurant.
The waiter CRUMBED DOWN before the coffee was served.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “crumb down”?
The phrasal verb crumb down means to clear a table in a restaurant, usually by removing crumbs and other small food particles. This is typically done by a waiter or waitress to prepare the table for the next course or for new customers.
What are the different verb forms of “crumb down”?
| Root Verb | crumb down |
| Third Person Singular Present | crumbs down |
| Present Participle | crumbing down |
| Simple Past | crumbed down |
| Past Participle | crumbed down |
Example
After the main course, the waiter crumbed down the table.
Example
She crumbs down the tables quickly and efficiently.
Example
He is crumbing down the table before serving dessert.
Example
Yesterday, they crumbed down all the tables after the lunch rush.
Example
The tables had been crumbed down before the dinner service began.
What kind of phrasal verb is “crumb 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
“crumb 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 waiter crumbed down the table.
Example
She crumbed the table down before serving coffee.
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
“crumb 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 waiter crumbed down the table.
Example
She crumbed the table down before serving coffee.
Good things to know
Does “crumb down” have an informal or formal tone?
Crumb down is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is commonly used in the context of the restaurant and hospitality industry.
