Damp the clothes down before you iron them.
•Please damp down the clothes first.
2. Fig. to reduce the intensity of a flame, usually by cutting down on the air supply, as with a damper. •Please damp the woodstove down.
•Damp down the air supply or you are going to end up with a raging inferno.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
damp something down — ˌdamp sthˈdown derived to make a fire burn more slowly or stop burning Main entry: ↑dampderived … Useful english dictionary
damp something down — make (a fire) burn less strongly by reducing its air supply. → damp … English new terms dictionary
damp — adjective slightly wet. noun 1》 moisture in the air, on a surface, or in a solid, typically with detrimental or unpleasant effects. ↘(damps) archaic damp air or atmosphere. 2》 archaic a check or discouragement. verb 1》 make damp. 2》 (often… … English new terms dictionary
damp — 1 adjective 1 slightly wet, often in an unpleasant way: Wipe the leather with a damp cloth. 2 damp squib BrE informal something that is intended to be exciting, effective etc, but which is disappointing damply adverb USAGE NOTE: DAMP WORD CHOICE … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
damp — [[t]dæ̱mp[/t]] damper, dampest, damps, damping, damped 1) ADJ GRADED Something that is damp is slightly wet. Her hair was still damp. ...the damp, cold air... She wiped the table with a damp cloth. Syn: moist 2) N UNCOUNT Damp … English dictionary
damp down something — ˌdamp ˈdown sth derived to make an emotion or a feeling less strong Main entry: ↑dampderived … Useful english dictionary
damp — damp1 [dæmp] adj [Date: 1300 1400; : Middle Low German] 1.) slightly wet, often in an unpleasant way ▪ Wipe the leather with a damp cloth. ▪ a cold, damp day 2.) damp squib BrE informal something that is intended to be exciting, effective etc,… … Dictionary of contemporary English
damp — I UK [dæmp] / US adjective ** something that is damp is slightly wet, often in an unpleasant way or when it should be dry a cold damp basement room The wood won t burn if it s damp. Cover the bowl with a warm damp cloth. Derived words: damply… … English dictionary
damp — damp1 [ dæmp ] adjective ** something that is damp is slightly wet, often in an unpleasant way or when it should be dry: a cold damp basement room The wood won t burn if it s damp. ╾ damp|ly adverb ╾ damp|ness noun uncount damp damp 2 [ dæmp ]… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
damp down — PHRASAL VERB To damp down something such as a strong emotion, an argument, or a crisis means to make it calmer or less intense. [V P n (not pron)] His hand moved to his mouth as he tried to damp down the panic... [be V ed P] The entire spending… … English dictionary
tone down — verb 1. deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping • Syn: ↑muffle, ↑mute, ↑dull, ↑damp, ↑dampen • Derivationally related forms: ↑damper (for: ↑damp … Useful english dictionary
