wash down
Britishverb
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to wash completely, esp from top to bottom
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to take drink with or after (food or another drink)
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Clean by washing from top to bottom, as in He always washes down the walls before painting . [Second half of 1800s]
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Drink a liquid after eating food or taking medicine, as in He washed down the pills with a glass of water . [c. 1600]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For centuries, they have dished up wine from the surrounding vineyards to wash down typically hearty central European fare.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
She pointed toward the charred hillsides to her north and said that there is a buffer if any debris should wash down her way.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2025
Someone got the timing wrong Sunday at the oldest Grand Slam tournament, where the bubbly helps wash down the strawberries and cream.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 9, 2023
In Hong Kong, milk tea is an unassuming beverage, something you use to wash down sweet French toast off a plastic plate.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 23, 2022
Eliza dragged me inside, saying we still had an obligation to wash down the sickroom.
From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
