The word "pour down" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /pɔr daʊn/. The "pour" is spelled with a silent "u" but pronounced like "paw." The "d" in "down" is voiced, creating the "d" sound, and is followed by the diphthong "ow" as in "cow." When combined, "pour down" is pronounced as a two-syllable phrase with stress on the first syllable. This word is often used to describe heavy rain that is pouring down from the sky in a continuous flow.
The phrase "pour down" is a commonly used phrasal verb in the English language. It refers to the action of rain or another liquid falling heavily and in large quantities. When it pours down, the intensity of the rain is often characterized by its forceful and continuous descent from the clouds to the ground. This term is commonly used to describe weather conditions where rain is falling heavily and without interruption.
Furthermore, "pour down" can also be used metaphorically to describe a large quantity of something being delivered or supplied rapidly and in a profuse manner. For instance, a stream of information or complaints can be said to pour down on someone, meaning they are being bombarded or overwhelmed by an excessive amount of it.
In everyday conversations, people might say things like, "The rain poured down all day, causing widespread flooding," or "After the controversial decision, a torrent of criticism poured down on the judge." Overall, "pour down" is a flexible expression that can be used to describe the forceful descent of rain or the overwhelming delivery of something, both literally and metaphorically.
The word "pour" can be traced back to the Old French word "purer" which meant "to strain" or "to purify". This word came from the Latin word "purare" meaning "to purify" or "to cleanse". Over time, "purer" evolved into "pour" and gained the specific meaning of "to flow in a steady stream".
The addition of the word "down" in "pour down" is simply a way to specify the direction of the pouring. It emphasizes that the liquid is flowing downward in a heavy or torrential manner. Additionally, the use of "down" helps to differentiate from other uses of the word "pour" that may not involve a downward flow.