# smooth down

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/smooth-down
Updated: 2026-10-23

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He smoothed down his hair to the back." but "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.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.