English Reference

Phrasal verb

smooth down

Definition

phrasal verb. to press your hands over a surface to make it flat or neat. You usually do this to your hair or clothes to look better.

phrasal verb. to make a surface level or tidy by applying light pressure with the hands. The verb is transitive and typically takes physical objects like hair, fabric, or paper as its direct object.

Examples

“She used her hands to smooth down her messy hair.”

“Before walking into the interview, he paused to smooth down his tie and jacket.”

“The artisan carefully used a wooden tool to smooth down the rough edges of the wet clay before firing it in the kiln.”

Examples

simple

“She used her hands to smooth down her messy hair.”

contextual

“Before walking into the interview, he paused to smooth down his tie and jacket.”

complex

“The artisan carefully used a wooden tool to smooth down the rough edges of the wet clay before firing it in the kiln.”

Usage

often used with reflexive pronouns when referring to one's own hair or clothing.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'smooth over', which is used figuratively for resolving problems or social conflicts.

Pitfall

He smoothed down his hair to the back.

He smoothed his hair down.

while 'smooth down' is often used together, it is a separable phrasal verb and the object can comfortably sit between the verb and particle.

Phrasal verb

Particles

down

Separability

optional

Pattern

smooth + (object) + down

Synonyms

flattenleveltidypat down

Antonyms

rufflemusswrinkle

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

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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