1. To water down something (or water something down) is to add water or another liquid to a drink to make it less strong.
Examples of use:
a) This beer has been watered down!
b) My father drinks watered down whisky.
c) Some people water down wine to make a pleasant summer drink.
2. To water down something (or water something down) is to make a plan or suggestion weaker in order to make it more acceptable and less controversial.
Examples of use:
a) News headline: Watered down Kyoto deal is hailed by world leaders but angers green groups.
b) The government has watered down its health service reforms.
| infinitive | water down |
| present simple | water down and waters down |
| -ing form | watering down |
| past simple | watered down |
| past participle | watered down |
Can you think of a way to use this phrasal verb in a sentence?
Practise your English by adding your sentence below.
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