Crossword Genius

Dress down (5)

Ross

There are a few possibilities for this:

Which length description are you looking for?:

5

8
I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

This might be a double definition.

'dress' is the first definition.
(I know that dress can be written as preen)

'down' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for preen that I've seen before include "Groom with great care" , "(Of a bird) tidy and clean feathers" , "Arrange feathers" , "Dress or smooth, feathers say" , "Maintain" .)

I've seen this clue in The New York Times and the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app