Street
swear down
What does swear down mean?
A statement of honesty — the London equivalent of 'I swear to God.' You say it to convince someone you're not lying.
"I never touched your phone, swear down."
Origin
Grew out of London Multicultural English (MLE), blending Caribbean and working-class London speech. Spread nationally through UK grime and drill in the 2010s.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'swear down' mean in UK slang?
It means 'I swear it's true' or 'on my life.' Londoners use it to insist they're being honest.
What does 'swear down' mean on TikTok?
Same as in real life — it's a stamp of truth on a claim, like 'no cap.' UK creators drop it to sound sincere or shocked.
Is 'swear down' rude?
No, it's casual and harmless. It's just an everyday way of emphasizing you're telling the truth.
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