What are the definitions of “wash down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Drink in order to swallow something solid.
I WASHED the antibiotics DOWN with a glass of water.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “wash down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb wash down is to drink a liquid to help swallow something solid, like food or medicine. It is often used when talking about taking pills or eating dry food.
What are the different verb forms of “wash down”?
| Root Verb | wash down |
| Third Person Singular Present | washes down |
| Present Participle | washing down |
| Simple Past | washed down |
| Past Participle | washed down |
Example
I always wash down my vitamins with a glass of orange juice.
Example
She washes down her medicine with a sip of water.
Example
He is washing down his sandwich with a cold soda.
Example
Yesterday, they washed down their meal with a refreshing lemonade.
Example
The dry cake was washed down with a cup of tea.
What kind of phrasal verb is “wash 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
“wash 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 washed down her pill with a glass of water.
Example
He washed the sandwich down with a cold drink.
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
“wash 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 washed down her pill with a glass of water.
Example
He washed the sandwich down with a cold drink.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “wash down”?
Good things to know
Does “wash down” have an informal or formal tone?
Wash down is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
