WASHED DOWN Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "washed down" refers to the act of consuming food or drink accompanied by a liquid in order to make it easier to swallow, to dilute or cleanse the taste, or to aid in digestion. This term can be used in a literal sense, as in drinking a beverage to help digest solid food or cleanse the mouth after eating, or in a figurative sense, as in using a metaphorical or symbolic drink to lessen the impact or influence of something unpleasant.
In its literal sense, "washed down" is commonly used to describe the act of drinking water, juice, or any other liquid after consuming food to facilitate the swallowing process or to moisten the mouth. This practice is often employed when a meal is particularly dry or difficult to eat, such as when eating crackers or bread. Additionally, consuming a beverage after eating can help cleanse the palate and remove lingering tastes.
In its figurative sense, "washed down" can refer to the use of a metaphorical beverage or action to lessen the effects of something unpleasant, either physically or emotionally. For example, someone may describe taking pain medication with water as "washing down" the taste of the medicine. Similarly, someone might say they "washed down" a disappointing experience with a glass of wine, meaning they used the alcohol to alleviate or forget about the negative emotions associated with that experience.
Common Misspellings for WASHED DOWN
- qashed down
- aashed down
- sashed down
- eashed down
- 3ashed down
- 2ashed down
- wzshed down
- wsshed down
- wwshed down
- wqshed down
- waahed down
- wazhed down
- waxhed down
- wadhed down
- waehed down
- wawhed down
- wasged down
- wasbed down
- wasned down
- wasjed down
Etymology of WASHED DOWN
The term "washed down" is a phrasal verb that consists of two parts: "washed" and "down". The etymology of "washed" can be traced back to the Old English word "wæscan", which means "to cleanse or rinse with water". This word ultimately derives from the Proto-Germanic word "waskōną". The meaning of "down" in this context is "to a lower or less important position". It comes from the Old English word "dūn", which means "hill" or "mound". When combined, "washed down" refers to the action of cleansing or rinsing something using fluid, especially to guide it downward or make it less intense.
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