draw a sponge over the slate

English

Alternative forms

• draw a sponge across the slate
• draw a wet sponge across the slate
• draw a wet sponge over the slate
• draw the sponge across the slate
• draw the sponge over the slate
• draw the wet sponge across the slate
• draw the wet sponge over the slate

 

Etymology

In reference to a wet sponge being used to wipe a writing slate clean.

Verb

draw a sponge over the slate (third-person singular simple present draws a sponge over the slate, present participle drawing a sponge over the slate, simple past drew a sponge over the slate, past participle drawn a sponge over the slate)

1. (obsolete) Synonym of wipe the slate clean. [19th century]

   Synonym: pass a sponge over the slate