下水 xiàshuǐ verb ① (指新船) be launched ▸ 一艘新船下水了。 A new ship was launched. ② (指人、动物等) enter the water ▸ 下水游泳 go down to the water for a swim ③ (指纺织品等) shrink cloth or fabrics in water before use ▸ 布料一经下水,做成的衣服就不会缩水了。 The dress won’t shrink in the wash because the fabric has been pre-shrunk. ④ figurative (做坏事) fall into evil ways ▸ 拉/拖下水 lead sb astray ⑤ (顺流而下) go downstream ▸ 下水船 downriver boat |