What are the definitions of “drown in”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Cover excessively.
They DROWN the food IN sauce.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “drown in”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb drown in is to cover something excessively or to be overwhelmed by a large amount of something. For example, it can mean covering food with too much sauce or being surrounded by a lot of work.
What are the different verb forms of “drown in”?
| Root Verb | drown in |
| Third Person Singular Present | drowns in |
| Present Participle | drowning in |
| Simple Past | drowned in |
| Past Participle | drowned in |
Example
I always drown my pancakes in syrup.
Example
She drowns her salad in dressing.
Example
He is drowning in paperwork at the office.
Example
Yesterday, they drowned their fries in ketchup.
Example
The cake was drowned in chocolate sauce.
What kind of phrasal verb is “drown in”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“drown in” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She drowned her salad in dressing.
Example
He drowned in paperwork at the office.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“drown in” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She drowned her salad in dressing.
Example
He drowned in paperwork at the office.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “drown in”?
Drown one's sorrows
To try to forget one's problems or sadness by consuming alcohol.
Example
After a tough breakup, he went to the bar to drown his sorrows.
Good things to know
Does “drown in” have an informal or formal tone?
Drown in is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings depending on the specific context.
