smooth down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Make a surface flat by stroking it
Why “down”? The hand moves down along a surface. It presses, fixes, wipes, or checks it closely.
“Leo smoothed down his shirt before leaving for work.”
“Leo smoothed down his hair before going to the club with Maya.”
Don't confuse with
Smooth down means make a surface flat by stroking it. Smooth over means make a problem or disagreement seem less serious.
Test yourself
“Leo smoothed down his shirt before leaving for work.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
smooth over
A contrast learners often mix up
Make a problem or disagreement seem less serious
hammer down
Same down pattern: surface work
Fix something firmly into place with a hammer
hose down
Same down pattern: surface work
Wash something by spraying it with a hose
pat down
Same down pattern: surface work
Search someone by feeling over their clothes
rub down
Same down pattern: surface work
Dry or massage by rubbing firmly
stick down
Same down pattern: surface work
Attach something to a surface with glue or tape
wipe down
Same down pattern: surface work
Clean a surface with a damp cloth
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