tamp

Everyday

1. To tamp something means to press or pat it down firmly so it is packed tight, such as soil around a plant or coffee in a machine. tree →
2. (formal) To tamp down something like feelings or rumours means to try to calm it or reduce it. tree →

In the lessons

In gardening, after planting a seedling you tamp down the soil gently so the plant stands firm. Builders tamp down gravel or concrete. In cafés a barista tamps the coffee. In news writing, «to tamp down fears» means to calm worries. Phrases: «tamp down», «tamp the soil», «tamp it firm».

Examples

• Tamp the soil down around the bean plant with your fingers. tree →
• The builder tamped the gravel flat before laying the slabs. tree →
• The barista tamped the coffee into the little metal cup. tree →
• Grandad tamped the tobacco into his old pipe. tree →
• The head teacher tried to tamp down the rumours about the closure. tree →
• After filling the hole, we tamped it down with our boots. tree →

Note

Regular verb: tamped, tamping. Usually with «down». Not to be confused with «stamp» (to bring your foot down hard) or «tamper» (to interfere with something secretly), though a tool for tamping is called a «tamper».