soaking down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'soaking down' can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe the process of making something wet, such as dousing something with a liquid or immersing it. For example, you could say, "I spent the afternoon soaking down the deck in preparation for painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Corn grillers in Lynchburg, Tenn., have soaking down to a science.

The New York Times - Food

He poured several beers, in succession, right onto his pleasure center, which could remain dry and withered no matter what came soaking down.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Another method is to mix the pesticide in a large watering can and apply a soil drench to the base of the plants, to soak down and hopefully put an end to the weevils.

The New York Times

"When the cameras would get soaked down by police hoses or beaten up, we'd fix them and send them back south," Mr. Forscher said in a telephone interview from his home in Austerlitz, N.Y.

The New York Times

"It's in the winter season that the rain that falls can soak down through the soil and make its way down into the groundwater stores.

BBC

If you're tired of constantly cleaning up after your cat, or you fear that the urine has soaked down to the carpet pad or throughout your hardwood floor, call a professional.

WikiHow

– David Cameron, who had to move his jubilee party indoors as rain soaked Downing Street "It was thought I would not look elegant in the Lycra" – London mayor Boris Johnson explaining why he turned down the offer of an oar on Gloriana for a place on the Havengore, the launch which carried the coffin of Winston Churchill to his funeral.

The Guardian

He is the one at the party who starts the water-balloon fight that rages for hours and turns into a full-on soak down.

The New York Times

The force nearly tipped me on my rear, causing me to experience a devastating vision of myself emerging from the labyrinth soaked down the back of my jeans, clocking in for another year of ridicule.

The New Yorker

And spit-up is nowhere near as bad as big kid vomit, even when you're soaked down to your bra.

HuffPost

Water the sod a half hour after it is put down, watering but not drenching it, applying about one inch of water so that it soaks down three and a half inches or so.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "soaking down", consider the intensity of the wetting action you want to convey; it suggests a thorough wetting, but not necessarily forceful.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "soaking down" can sound informal in certain contexts. Opt for more formal alternatives like "saturating" or "thoroughly wetting" in academic or professional writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "soaking down" is that of a phrasal verb. Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing the act of thoroughly wetting something, often with the implication of saturation or penetration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "soaking down" is a phrasal verb used to describe the process of thoroughly wetting something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, noting its presence in news and media, though it is somewhat less frequent than similar terms. While grammatically correct, it may be more appropriate for neutral to informal contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "saturating" or "immersing" in professional or academic writing. Key sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and HuffPost, among others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soaking

A simpler, more general term for allowing something to become wet.

drenching

This term implies a more thorough and forceful wetting than "soaking down".

drenching completely

Highlights the completeness of the wetting action.

saturating

This emphasizes the point of complete wetness, where no more liquid can be absorbed.

saturating fully

Similar to 'saturating', with added emphasis on the completeness of the saturation.

wetting thoroughly

This option is a more descriptive and less idiomatic way to convey a similar meaning.

dousing

Implies a quick, often forceful application of liquid.

sousing

Similar to dousing, suggesting a sudden immersion or wetting.

immersing

Suggests a complete submersion in liquid.

steeping

Implies letting something sit in liquid to become fully saturated.

FAQs

How can I use "soaking down" in a sentence?

You can use "soaking down" to describe the act of thoroughly wetting something with liquid. For instance, "They were "soaking down" the vegetables to preserve them".

What does "soaking down" mean?

"Soaking down" means to thoroughly wet or saturate something with a liquid, implying a deep penetration of the liquid into the object.

Are there any synonyms for "soaking down"?

Yes, synonyms for "soaking down" include "drenching", "saturating", or "wetting thoroughly", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "soaking down"?

"Soaking down" is appropriate in informal contexts where you want to describe something as being thoroughly wet. In more formal settings, consider alternatives like "saturating" or "immersing".