down
2
8.6
- noun
- /daʊn/
- UK
- The rolling green downs provide a stunning backdrop for our picnic.
Examples
-
I love hiking in the beautiful downs of southern England during the summer months.
-
I feared you were out on the downs with Mr. Gordon.
Fiction book (1998) -
I wish I could walk on the path... between the high downs and the sea... where my father lives.
-
The lot of many stood on the cliff, looking back over the downs and the village.
Fiction book (1999) -
Of a peaceful Countryside, of soft green downs rolling to a blue sea.
-
You've got the sea and then you've got the city, and then you've got the downs and the countryside and like fields.
-
Many artists are inspired by the picturesque downs that stretch along the coastline.
Synonyms
1
7.5
Relating to open chalk hills, often found in southern England
Idioms
- Informal
10
8.1
Completely unable to move or continue because of extreme tiredness
- Informal
8
8.2
To suddenly speak angrily and criticize someone for a small mistake
- Informal
6
5.9
A sudden feeling of fear or excitement that moves along your back
- Informal
6
9.5
Found unprepared and embarrassed when something unexpected happens
- Informal
5
5.9
Reach a point where the result is not decided until the last moment
4
5.9
To continue until the last possible moment while the result is not known
- Informal
4
6.0
Cause someone to feel a sudden strong fear or excitement
- Informal
4
8.3
Make someone accept ideas or opinions they do not want by pressuring them
- Informal
3
5.9
Make someone feel a sudden strong fear or excitement
- Informal
3
4.9
Things that rise will later fall, for example prices or fortunes
- Informal
1
6.9
To treat someone badly when they already have problems
- Australian
1
9.9
To criticize someone who stands out to make them seem less successful
Compounds
- US
78
3.1
A first payment you make when you buy something and pay the rest in later payments
- Informal
11
4.6
Something that is less strong or useful because people change it to avoid problems
- Jargon
5
6.3
A temporary pause in military activity to let troops rest and stop being on alert
- Specialized
5
3.2
A list of options that appears below a menu item so you can choose one
- Specialized
3
6.4
A reduction in the value of something a company owns to show it is now worth less
- Archaic
2
6.4
Workers who stay in their workplace and refuse to leave until the employer meets their demands
- Informal
2
6.1
A severe scolding from someone in charge, often in front of other people
- Specialized
1
3.3
A condition present at birth caused by an extra chromosome that makes learning harder and gives typical physical features
- Specialized
1
8.8
A bow movement from the part near your hand toward the tip when playing a string instrument
- Specialized
1
9.9
A very small particle inside protons and neutrons with an electric charge of minus one third
- Specialized
1
5.6
A device that lowers high electric voltage so appliances work safely
A large British sheep with a dark face and a thick coat that people keep for meat and wool
- Specialized
A storage where the last thing put in comes out first, like a pile of plates
Surface Forms
Etymology
Down for rolling, treeless hills comes from the Old English dūn meaning 'hill' (like the word 'dune'), so the 'downs' are open grassy hills.