Phrasal verb
key down
Definition
phrasal verb. to press and hold a button or key on a keyboard or other device.
phrasal verb. to depress and maintain pressure on a key or button, typically on a keyboard or control panel; often used in the context of digital interfaces and gaming.
Examples
“Key down the spacebar to jump.”
“He kept his finger keying down the accelerator as he sped through the race.”
“The pilot’s hand remained keying down the autopilot control, ensuring a smooth descent.”
Examples
simple
“Key down the spacebar to jump.”
contextual
“He kept his finger keying down the accelerator as he sped through the race.”
complex
“The pilot’s hand remained keying down the autopilot control, ensuring a smooth descent.”
Usage
often used in technical or gaming contexts, referring to a physical action on a device.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'press' (a single action) and 'tap' (a quick, light touch); useful for explaining the nuance of physical interaction with digital devices.
Pitfall
He keyed down the button.
He key-ed down the button.
While 'keyed' is an adjective, 'key-ed' is the past participle of the phrasal verb 'key down'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
key + down