Phrasal verb
lash down
Definition
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.
Examples
“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.”
Examples
simple
“The storm lashed down the trees with strong winds.”
contextual
“Workers lashed down the cargo to prevent it from shifting during transport.”
complex
“On the storm-lashed deck, sailors lashed down the barrels with ropes to avoid loss at sea.”
Usage
typically followed by a direct object indicating what is being struck or secured.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'lash out' (to attack suddenly) and 'tie down' (to secure); 'lash down' emphasizes force or fixation rather than direction of attack.
Pitfall
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.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
lash + down + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/lash-down