Phrasal verb
shower down
Definition
phrasal verb. to fall or be thrown down in large amounts, like rain or many small objects. You use this when things come down quickly and cover an area.
phrasal verb. To fall or descend copiously in the manner of a shower. It may function intransitively to describe falling matter or transitively to describe the act of raining objects down upon a target.
Examples
“Golden leaves shower down from the trees every autumn.”
“During the wedding ceremony, colorful confetti showered down on the happy couple as they walked outside.”
“As the old factory roof finally gave way, a thick layer of dust and rusted metal showered down upon the abandoned machinery below.”
Examples
simple
“Golden leaves shower down from the trees every autumn.”
contextual
“During the wedding ceremony, colorful confetti showered down on the happy couple as they walked outside.”
complex
“As the old factory roof finally gave way, a thick layer of dust and rusted metal showered down upon the abandoned machinery below.”
Usage
This phrase is often used with the preposition 'on' or 'upon' to show what the objects are falling onto.
Teaching tip
Compare with 'pour down', which is almost exclusively used for heavy rain, whereas 'shower down' can describe any small objects falling in quantity.
Pitfall
A shower down of sparks hit the floor.
Sparks showered down on the floor.
Learners sometimes confuse the phrasal verb with the noun 'a shower of'; 'shower down' is the action itself and does not take 'of'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down
Separability
optional
Pattern
shower + down (+ on + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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