sponge down

sponge down (third-person singular simple present sponges down, present participle sponging down, simple past and past participle sponged down)

1. To clean with a sponge
   • 1982, Annette Capone, chapter 6, in Skin Deep: A guide to easy skincare, Scholastic Inc., page 62:

     If your skin is dry and flaky all over, pour a few handfuls of salt in your bath water and sponge down your entire body. When you’re through, slather on the moisturizer.

   • 2002, Mike Lawrence, Home Decorating, The Crowood Press, page 12:

     Painted wallcoverings can be sponged down, of course, but having a wallcovering with a plastic surface makes it more stain-resistant and easier to keep clean.

   • 2004, Jill Tomlinson, chapter 5, in The Otter Who Wanted to Know, Egmont Books, page 51:

     When they awoke they were fed again and sponged down to make sure their fur was clean. At bed-time they were bathed again.

• sponge

sponge down (plural sponge downs)

1. A quick clean of something (namely the body) with a sponge.
   • 1929, Eric F. W. Powell, chapter 4, in Water Treatments, C. W. Daniel Company, page 35:

     When the pack is removed a cold or tepid sponge down should be given and the patient placed in a warm bed.

   • 1951, Evelyn M. Lovely, chapter 7, in The Nursing of Sick Children, E & S Livingstone, page 56:

     When high fever is present, a sponge down twice a day will add to the patient’s comfort.

   • 1969, Doris E. Smith, chapter 11, in Fire is for Sharing, Harlequin, page 129:

     “And how’s the nurse who can’t tell ’flu from measles?”
     “As good as the patient who’s scared of a sponge down!”’

• sponge-down

• sponge bath
• sponge up