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wash down

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wash something down something

to get rid of something by flooding it down the sewer, drain, sink, etc. Wash all the soap suds down the drain and clean the sink, please. Please wash all that stuff down the drain.

See also: down, wash

wash something down

 (with something)

1. to clean something by flooding with water, alcohol, etc. The doctor washed the area down and began to stitch up the wound. She washed down the wound with alcohol to clean it thoroughly. Todd washed the driveway down with water.

2. Fig. to use fluid to aid the swallowing of food or medicine. Molly washed the pills down with a gulp of coffee. She washed down the pills with a glass of water.

See also: down, wash

wash down something

also wash something down

to drink a liquid to help you swallow something It was a great meal washed down with several glasses of wine. He got two aspirin and washed them down with a glass of water.

See also: down, wash

wash down

1. Clean by washing from top to bottom, as in He always washes down the walls before painting. [Second half of 1800s]

2. Drink a liquid after eating food or taking medicine, as in He washed down the pills with a glass of water. [c. 1600]

See also: down, wash

wash down

v.

1. To cleanse the surface of something using water or other liquid: We washed down the walls. My neighbor washed the car down.

2. To cause something to be carried or drawn down by the action of water or similar liquid: We tried to wash the grease down, but it stuck to the sides. I washed the tar down with the hose.

3. To follow the ingestion of something, such as food, with the ingestion of a liquid: After the party, we washed the cake down with coffee. I washed down the medicine with some juice.

See also: down, wash