What are the definitions of “strip down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To remove clothing or layers.
He stripped down to his underwear.
- 2To remove all unnecessary parts or coverings.
She completely stripped down the engine.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “strip down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb strip down is to remove clothing or layers from oneself or something else. It can refer to taking off clothes or removing unnecessary parts or coverings from an object.
What are the different verb forms of “strip down”?
| Root Verb | strip down |
| Third Person Singular Present | strips down |
| Present Participle | stripping down |
| Simple Past | stripped down |
| Past Participle | stripped down |
Example
Before going swimming, he stripped down to his swimsuit.
Example
She strips down to her pajamas before going to bed.
Example
He is stripping down the old paint from the wall.
Example
Yesterday, they stripped down the engine to clean it.
Example
The car was stripped down to its basic components for repair.
What kind of phrasal verb is “strip 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
“strip 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
He stripped down to his underwear.
Example
She stripped the engine down to its basic parts.
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
“strip 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
He stripped down to his underwear.
Example
She stripped the engine down to its basic parts.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “strip down”?
Good things to know
Does “strip down” have an informal or formal tone?
Strip down is generally considered neutral in terms of formality. It can be used in both informal and formal contexts, depending on the specific situation. For example, when discussing clothing or personal matters, it may be more informal, while when discussing technical or mechanical processes, it can be more formal.
