Phrase guide

wash down

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To help to swallow (something, especially food or a pill) by drinking a liquid.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Now we just need a drink to wash it down.
  • I had a nice beef sandwich washed down with a pint of bitter.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To wash (something) completely from top to bottom.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • You must wash the wall down well before painting.
  • We'll wash it down with a garden hose and just a touch of soap.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To send (something) down the drain by washing action.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • There was some food residue in the sink, so she washed it down.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

flow freely

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The body washed down the river

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: flush down

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: flush

5

verb

Meaning 5

eat food accompanied by lots of liquid; also use metaphorically

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She washed down her dinner with a bottle of red wine
  • He washes down his worries with a nightly glass of whisky

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: eat

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: altrinki — to help to swallow by drinking a liquid
  • German: herunterspülen — to help to swallow by drinking a liquid
  • Hungarian: leöblít — to help to swallow by drinking a liquid
  • Polish: popijać — to help to swallow by drinking a liquid
  • Polish: popić — to help to swallow by drinking a liquid
  • Spanish: bajar — to help to swallow by drinking a liquid
  • Spanish: acompañar — to help to swallow by drinking a liquid
  • Spanish: lavar la garganta — to help to swallow by drinking a liquid
  • Spanish: enjuagar la gorja — to help to swallow by drinking a liquid
  • Hungarian: lemos — to wash something completely
  • Polish: dopierać — to wash something completely
  • Polish: doprać — to wash something completely