tamp down
Third Person
tamps down
Present Participle
tamping down
Past Tense
tamped down
Past Participle
tamped down
1
to reduce the intensity or force of something
- The firefighter worked to tamp down the flames with a fire extinguisher.
- The mayor's speech aimed to tamp down concerns about the recent increase in crime.
- She tried to tamp down her excitement before the big announcement.
- The supervisor had to tamp down rumors spreading among the staff about layoffs.
2
to press something down firmly and tightly
- She tamped down the soil around the roots of the new plant.
- The worker tamped down the gravel to create a solid base for the pavement.
- He tamps down the coffee grounds before brewing.
- After filling the hole, they tamped down the dirt to prevent settling.
- The builder tamps down the sand to make the surface level.