water something down

water something down
water something down
1. to dilute something. •

Who watered the orange juice down?

Jim watered down the orange juice.

2. to water something thoroughly. •

Will you water the lawn down tonight?

Water down the lawn this evening so it will grow tomorrow.

3. Fig. to reduce the effectiveness or force of something. (Fig. on Q.) •

Please don't water my declaration down.

The new laws watered down the power of the president.


Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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