water down

Meaning

Literally, to dilute a liquid (like juice, soup, or sauce) by adding water or another liquid to make it less concentrated or weaker. Figuratively, it can also mean to make an opinion, proposal, or statement less forceful or extreme.

Examples

• The soup was a bit too salty, so I had to water it down a little.

  The soup was a bit too salty, so I had to water it down a little.

• Don't add too much ice to your iced coffee, or it'll water it down.

  Don't add too much ice to your iced coffee, or it'll water it down.

• He watered down the sauce with some chicken stock to make it go further.

  He watered down the sauce with some chicken stock to make it go further.

• The bartender was accused of watering down the drinks to save money.

  The bartender was accused of watering down the drinks to save money.

• If the orange juice is too sweet for the kids, you can water it down.

  If the orange juice is too sweet for the kids, you can water it down.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I watered the juice down with adding more water.

  ✓ I watered the juice down by adding more water.

  Use 'by + -ing' to show the method, or simply 'watered down the juice with water'.

• ✗ I watered down the house plants this morning.

  ✓ I watered the house plants this morning.

  'Water down' means to dilute a liquid. To give water to plants, simply use the verb 'water'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The gravy is way too salty; we need to ________ it ________ with some unsalted broth.

  💡 Dilute the flavor.

  Show answer

  water down

• If you leave the ice in your drink too long, it will ________ it ________.

  💡 Make it weaker.

  Show answer

  water down