marinate

[ˈmærɪneɪt]

marinate Definition

  • 1to soak food in a marinade, which is a mixture of oil, vinegar, spices, and herbs, to add flavor and tenderize it before cooking
  • 2to steep or saturate something in a liquid for a period of time

Using marinate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "marinate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    I like to marinate chicken in yogurt and spices before grilling it.

  • Example

    The meat should be marinated overnight for best results.

  • Example

    You can marinate vegetables in a mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

marinate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for marinate

Antonyms for marinate

Phrases with marinate

  • marinate in one's own juices

    to suffer the consequences of one's actions or to be left alone to deal with one's problems

    Example

    After he was caught cheating on the exam, he was left to marinate in his own juices.

  • to wallow in sadness or self-pity

    Example

    She spent the whole weekend marinating in misery after her breakup.

  • marinate in success

    to revel in one's accomplishments or good fortune

    Example

    After winning the championship, the team was able to marinate in their success for a few days before getting back to practice.

Origins of marinate

from Italian 'marinare', meaning 'to pickle in brine'

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Summary: marinate in Brief

To 'marinate' [ˈmærɪneɪt] means to soak food in a mixture of oil, vinegar, spices, and herbs to add flavor and tenderize it before cooking. It can also refer to steeping or saturating something in a liquid for a period of time. Examples include marinating chicken in yogurt and spices before grilling it and marinating vegetables in a mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Phrases like 'marinate in one's own juices' and 'marinate in misery' describe negative situations, while 'marinate in success' refers to reveling in one's accomplishments.

How do native speakers use this expression?