SWALLOW UP Meaning and
Definition
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Swallow up is a phrasal verb that has multiple meanings and applications in different contexts. Primarily, it refers to the act of engulfing or absorbing something or someone completely and rapidly. It implies a sense of disappearance or merger, as if being consumed by a larger entity or situation. Swallow up can be used both literally and figuratively.
In its literal sense, swallow up refers to the action of a creature or force entirely consuming or devouring something. For example, a large wave can swallow up a small boat, or a sinkhole can swallow up a car. In these instances, something is completely taken in or covered by a larger mass or force, leaving no trace.
Figuratively, swallow up is frequently used to describe someone or something being overwhelmed or dominated by a circumstance or situation. For instance, a person may feel swallowed up by debt, consumed by work responsibilities, or engulfed by a feeling of sadness. This usage conveys a sense of feeling engulfed, overpowered, or entrapped by a particular condition or state.
Overall, the term swallow up denotes a process where something or someone is taken in, absorbed, or overwhelmed entirely, either physically or metaphorically, leaving little or no opportunity for escape or visibility.
Common Misspellings for SWALLOW UP
- awallow up
- zwallow up
- xwallow up
- dwallow up
- ewallow up
- wwallow up
- sqallow up
- saallow up
- ssallow up
- seallow up
- s3allow up
- s2allow up
- swzllow up
- swsllow up
- swwllow up
- swqllow up
- swaklow up
- swaplow up
- swaolow up
Etymology of SWALLOW UP
The etymology of the phrase "swallow up" can be traced back to Old English and Middle English.
The word "swallow" comes from the Old English word "swelgan" which means "to consume or devour greedily". This word eventually evolved into "swallow" in Middle English.
The word "up" is a preposition that indicates direction or movement toward a higher position or level.
When combined, "swallow up" means to devour or consume completely and is often used metaphorically to describe something or someone being overwhelmed or engulfed by a situation or entity.
It is important to note that the etymology of the phrase refers to the individual meanings of the words "swallow" and "up", rather than a unique origin for the entire phrase.
Idioms with the word SWALLOW UP
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swallow up sb/sth
The idiom "swallow up someone/something" means to engulf or consume someone or something completely, often in a figurative sense. It can refer to someone being overwhelmed or dominated by a particular situation, or something being completely absorbed or absorbed within another. It carries the connotation of being overwhelmed or consumed by something that is much larger or more powerful than oneself or the object.
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wish the ground would swallow up
The idiom "wish the ground would swallow up" refers to a feeling of extreme embarrassment or shame that makes one desire to disappear or be hidden from view. It expresses the desire for a moment or situation to suddenly vanish, as if the ground were to open up and swallow one whole.
Similar spelling words for SWALLOW UP
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