lash down
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to hit something repeatedly with force, or to secure something firmly in place.
phrasal verb. to strike repeatedly with force; to fasten or secure something firmly in place. Transitive, often used in contexts involving physical restraint or maritime operations.
The storm lashed down the trees with strong winds.
Workers lashed down the cargo to prevent it from shifting during transport.
On the storm-lashed deck, sailors lashed down the barrels with ropes to avoid loss at sea.
- strike repeatedly
- secure tightly
- tie down
- leave loose
- release
- let go
- Particles
- down
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- lash + down + object
typically followed by a direct object indicating what is being struck or secured.
contrast with 'lash out' (to attack suddenly) and 'tie down' (to secure); 'lash down' emphasizes force or fixation rather than direction of attack.
He lashed down at the door.He lashed out at the door.'down' refers to securing, while 'out' indicates direction of attack — a common confusion for learners.
Last updated April 24, 2026