pack down

pack down

To press, push, or tamp something downward to compress it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "pack" and "down." I packed down the clothes as far as I could, but I still couldn't get the suitcase shut. We'll need to pack the soil down to create a strong foundation for the concrete.
See also: down, pack
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pack something down

to make something more compact; to press something in a container down so it takes less space. The traffic packed down the snow. Pack the grass down in the basket so the basket will hold more.
See also: down, pack

pack down

[for something] to settle down in a container. The cereal has packed down in the box so that it seems that the box is only half full. Everything was packed down carefully inside.
See also: down, pack
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • ask down
  • bear down
  • chow down
  • chow something down
  • clunk
  • clunk down
  • brush down
  • button down
  • bolt down
  • call down
References in periodicals archive
The new Warriors recruit will pack down against Northampton in their Heineken Cup opener.
We'll keep foot on gas to Swin this; Northampton v Glasgow
SNUGPAK MICROFIBRE ANTIBACTERIAL TRAVEL TOWEL pounds 8.95-pounds 23.95 www.snugpak.com Lightweight, these will pack down to a fraction of the size of a traditional bath towel so are perfect for when space is tight.
Pick of the best holiday gadgets
If a person were to spread a minimum of eight inches of straw in that yard (it will pack down), the chickens would be so happy to have that straw to scratch in.
Chicken scratch
O'Connell will pack down with his third different second row partner of the tour in Alun Wyn Jones.
Lions team named for Sharks test
I might well pack down against Robbie, but that doesn't affect me and it won't have a bearing on the game either.
Rugby Union: We'll pack a punch - Joe
With a total weight of just under 900 grams, the airbed is unlikely to go down terribly well with advocates of lightweight travel, but it can pack down to an impressive 25 centimetres by 15 centimetres, thanks to a set of built in compression straps--a 65 per cent smaller pack size than conventional self-inflating mattresses of the same thickness.
Save your breath
The energy storage system uses lithium cells and a computer that shuts the entire battery pack down in the event of an emergency.
THE 130MPH BATTERY-POWER CAR
ProCell does not pack down due to its tight cell structure, and is grindable and very soft for less abrasion.
Post-operative shoe
Returning to the bucket, the trio uses kitchen strainers to drain and pack down the post-penguin krill.
ANTARCTICA: The Ice is Moving
Madden will pack down at prop for Llanelli in view of the Grange End where he would regularly cheer on the Bluebirds as a kid.
Rugby Union: Martyn's Mad for Bluebirds
Mick Lynch - normally a centre - fills in on the other wing, but David Corkery has been declared fit and will pack down in an all-international back row alongside Anthony Foley and Eddie Halvey.
O'Neil put in at deep end
Alongside McInally, who stayed with the squad as tour captain throughout his injury, Allan Dell and Simon Berghan will pack down while Grant Gilchrist partners Swinson in the second row.
STUART McInally [...]
They will pack down together for England in France.
KR FRIENDS REUNITED.
Barclay was omitted from the 31-man Scotland Rugby World Cup squad but has returned in time for the league opener and will pack down at No.8 in Glasgow.
Flanker Barclay out to make a point for the Scarlets
But he will pack down in Newport Gwent Dragons' back-row for their PRO12 clash against the Ospreys in Swansea.
Lydiate returns; sport ROUND-UP