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to sponge

to sponge

4 2.1
To clean up liquid by using a soft thing that soaks it up
  • verb
  • /spʌndʒ/
translation icon : limpiar con una esponja
  • I pulled back the sheets, pulled up her nightgown, and tried to sponge her clean.
  • sponge away
  • Then gently sponge

Examples

  • OK, So I'm then just using the sponge to blend it out.

  • Anyways, I'm just going to take my sponge and run that through.

  • And I will now sponge that on in.

  • Oh God, just take that down with my sponge if I can.

  • You will sponge the blood as I do now.

  • Now we're going to use the sponge to kind of blend this in.

  • Sponge the blood away when it returns.

  • All you have to do is sponge down with a little kerosene.

  • The last camper to follow suit has to clear the dishes and sponge the table.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Please sponge the stains off the table before the guests arrive.

Synonyms

to flush
vsto sponge
168 2.7

To clean something by running water through it

relies on flowing water rather than absorption or wiping to clean
to rinse
vsto sponge
83 1.0

To wash something with water to remove soap or dirt

cleans by water flow rather than absorbing or wiping with soft tools
to scrub
vsto sponge
55 1.0

To clean something by rubbing it hard with a brush and water

is gentler, focusing on wiping, soaking, or light cleaning rather than hard rubbing
to mop
vsto sponge
37 1.0

To clean a floor with a long handle and wet cloth

is for hand or small tool cleaning and cloth absorbing, not large floor cleaning
to swab
vsto sponge
22 4.0

To clean a surface or put liquid on it using a cotton stick

often means applying liquid rather than removing it
to soak up
vsto sponge
13 2.6

To take in liquid completely like a sponge or cloth

also covers cleaning and wiping actions, not only absorption
to wipe up
vsto sponge
8 1.8

To clean a surface using a cloth or towel to remove a spill

also includes absorbing and soaking liquids, not only drying spills
to mop up
vsto sponge
5 2.6

To remove liquid or dirt from a floor with a cloth

focuses on smaller scale wiping and soaking with absorbent tools instead of large-scale floor cleaning
to blot
vsto sponge
4 4.1

To remove liquid by pressing a soft cloth or paper against a surface

is broader, covering active wiping and cleaning as well as simple pressing absorption
to sop up
vsto sponge
1 3.3

To absorb liquid using a sponge, cloth, or piece of bread

is specific to cleaning with dedicated absorbent tools rather than any soft item
to skim
vsto sponge
1 3.4

Take a thin layer off the top of a liquid

targets surface films, not cleaning with absorbent tools
to sponge up
vsto sponge
1 3.7

To take liquid from a surface using something like a cloth

is used both to clean and to wipe surfaces as well as absorb liquids
to sponge down
vsto sponge
  • Informal
1 3.7

Clean a person or surface by rubbing with a wet cloth

covers wiping and soaking as well as washing by rubbing
to sponge out
vsto sponge
4.7

To remove liquid from a surface by wiping it with a cloth

emphasizes cleaning and wiping actions using an absorbent implement
to sponge off
vsto sponge
2.6

To rub a surface with a wet sponge to clean it

focuses on wet rubbing to clean rather than general wiping or absorbing
to sponge on
vsto sponge
6.2

To put liquid or paint on a surface using a sponge

is used for cleaning or absorbing liquids rather than applying them

Antonyms

588 1.0

To make liquid flow in a steady stream from a container

103 1.0

An accidental flow of liquid from a container

Idioms

To stop trying because it seems pointless

Phrasal Verbs

to sponge down
  • Informal
1 3.7

Clean a person or surface by rubbing with a wet cloth

1 3.7

To take liquid from a surface using something like a cloth

To rub a surface with a wet sponge to clean it

To put liquid or paint on a surface using a sponge

To remove liquid from a surface by wiping it with a cloth

Compounds

15 3.2

Washing the body with a wet cloth without using a shower or bath

7 1.8

A light, airy cake that uses eggs, flour and sugar without butter or oil

1 6.3

A natural pad of dried plant fibers from a luffa fruit used for washing skin or dishes

fun sponge
  • Offensive
7.8

A person who stops others from having fun by complaining

A rich sponge cake often served with a glass of wine

glass sponge
  • Specialized
8.8

A sea animal with a skeleton of thin glass-like threads that lives on the ocean floor

sponge filter
  • Specialized
3.0

A soft sponge in a fish tank that traps dirt and adds air while letting good bacteria grow

A climbing plant whose young fruits are edible and whose dried mature fruit makes a natural sponge

A mop with a soft sponge on a handle that soaks up water to clean floors

An edible mushroom with a cap of pits and ridges used in cooking

A mushroom you can eat with a soft, sponge-like head covered in pits and ridges

A small waterproof bag for carrying soap and toothpaste when travelling

A soft cloth that soaks up water for cleaning and drying surfaces

A light, soft cake flavored with vanilla

A plant fruit used as a natural bath sponge, like a loofah

A light cake made from two sponge layers sandwiched with jam and usually cream

How Thorough

to soak up
13 2.6
to mop
37 1.0
to sponge
4 2.1
to wipe
531 1.0
to blot
4 4.1
to dab
11 2.8

Surface Forms

sponge infinitive
spongeed past
spongeed past participle
spongeing present participle
sponges third person singular

Etymology

The verb sponge comes from using a sponge (the cloth or sea animal) to wipe or soak up liquid. So to sponge something is to clean or remove liquid by 'soaking it up'.