wash down

verb

washed down; washing down; washes down

transitive verb

1

: to move or carry downward by action of a liquid

especially : to facilitate the passage of (food) down the gullet with accompanying swallows of liquid

pizza washed down with beer

2

: to wash the whole length or extent of

washed down and scrubbed the front porch

Examples of wash down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One deflating note: Almost all the litter and other foul substances that end up in the lake wash down from the lawns, streets and sidewalks of the city, not a result of direct pollution. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Aug. 2024

As the sky turns purple-ish, Ellen cheerily serves foraged nettle and spinach soup; chanterelle, ricotta and sage ravioli; and a creamy take on the local dessert of blueberries with milk and sugar, washed down with schnapps infused with mugwort and dill. —Toby Skinner, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 June 2023

Don’t let your expensive color treatments wash down the drain—switch to these gentle cleansers instead. —Sarah Han, Allure, 15 Oct. 2024

According to the authority on all things laundry, The Laundress, the process for washing down pillows is relatively easy. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1