sleek down
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: * To make something, especially hair, smooth, glossy, and lie flat by applying a liquid or substance. It involves the action of grooming to achieve a neat, shiny appearance.
Usage
This verb is used to describe the specific action of smoothing and glossing hair or, less commonly, a surface. It often implies using a product like oil, gel, or water. It is typically used in informal contexts.
Examples
- He used gel to sleek down his unruly curls before the interview.
- She sleeked down her hair with a bit of water and a comb.
- The barber sleeked down the customer's hair with pomade.
Advanced Usage
- The phrasal verb can be used figuratively to mean to make something appear more polished, controlled, or less obvious, though this is less common.
- The company tried to sleek down the negative report with careful PR.
Variants and Related Words
- Sleek (verb): To make smooth and glossy. ("He sleeked his hair back.")
- Slick down (verb): A very common synonym with identical meaning. ("He slicked down his hair.")
Synonyms
- Smooth down
- Flatten
- Gloss
- Slick back (specifically implies combing hair away from the face)
Phrasal Verbs
- Sleek down is itself a phrasal verb. A closely related form is slick down.
Verb
- give a smooth and glossy appearance
- slick one's hair