wash down
B1Informal, Everyday
Definition
Meaning
To drink something after eating food to help it go down or to clean it.
To use liquid to make something pass down the throat or to clean a surface thoroughly with a large amount of liquid.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Most often used for eating and drinking. Also used for cleaning large surfaces or objects. Can be literal (physical cleaning) or figurative (cleansing a feeling).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use it identically for eating/drinking. 'Wash down the driveway' is more common in US usage for cleaning a large outdoor surface.
Connotations
Neutral in both. British usage for eating is slightly more informal/colloquial.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to broader use for cleaning.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] wash down [Object (food)] with [Object (drink)][Subject] wash down [Object (surface)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Wash down the memory (of something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in cleaning services: 'We'll wash down the exterior.'
Academic
Very rare.
Everyday
Common for describing eating/drinking: 'I washed down the pie with a pint of milk.'
Technical
In cleaning/industrial contexts: 'Wash down the equipment after use.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He washed down his fish and chips with a nice cuppa.
- We need to wash down the garden furniture before the party.
American English
- She washed down the burger with an ice-cold soda.
- I'm going to wash down the driveway this weekend.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I washed down the bread with milk.
- Wash down the table, please.
- He washed down his medication with a full glass of water.
- After the storm, we had to wash down the muddy patio.
- The spicy curry was perfectly washed down with a lassi.
- The fire crew washed down the chemical spill thoroughly.
- They attempted to wash down the bitter news with expensive whisky.
- The protocol requires you to wash down the laboratory equipment with a sterilising solution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine washing a pill DOWN your throat with water, or washing dirt DOWN a drain from a driveway.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIQUID IS A TRANSPORT/CLEANSING AGENT (it carries food down or carries dirt away).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'мыть вниз'. For eating, Russian often uses 'запить' (to drink after). For cleaning, use 'смыть (водой)'.
Common Mistakes
- *I washed down the juice with a sandwich. (Incorrect order: drink washes down food, not vice versa.)
- Using it for small items: *I washed down a spoon. (Use 'rinsed'.)
Practice
Quiz
In which situation is 'wash down' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it requires two elements: something solid (food/medicine) being helped by a liquid, or a surface being cleaned by liquid.
Yes. You can say 'wash the pill down' or 'wash down the pill'.
'Rinse' is for a quick, light clean. 'Wash down' implies a more thorough cleaning of a larger area or the specific act of using liquid to aid swallowing.
It is informal for the eating/drinking meaning. Neutral for the cleaning meaning in practical contexts.