What are the definitions of “hose down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Use a hose to wet, clean or wash something.
They HOSED the patio DOWN.
- 2Invest heavily in or throw a lot of money at something.
They have HOSED DOWN an obscure start - up up with capital.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “hose down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb hose down is to use a hose to wet, clean, or wash something. It usually involves spraying water on a surface or object to remove dirt or debris.
What are the different verb forms of “hose down”?
| Root Verb | hose down |
| Third Person Singular Present | hoses down |
| Present Participle | hosing down |
| Simple Past | hosed down |
| Past Participle | hosed down |
Example
I need to hose down the driveway after mowing the lawn.
Example
She hoses down the garden path every week.
Example
He is hosing down the car after a long road trip.
Example
Yesterday, they hosed down the patio to remove the dirt.
Example
The sidewalk was hosed down after the street festival.
What kind of phrasal verb is “hose 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
“hose 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
She hosed down the muddy boots.
Example
He hosed the car down after the trip.
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
“hose 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
She hosed down the muddy boots.
Example
He hosed the car down after the trip.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “hose down”?
Good things to know
Does “hose down” have an informal or formal tone?
Hose down is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in both casual and more formal settings, depending on the context. For example, it can be used when discussing cleaning tasks at home or in a professional setting.
