SWALLOW Meaning and
Definition
-
Swallow (verb) refers to the act of taking in food or liquid through the throat by the process of swallowing. It involves the movement of muscles in the mouth and throat to push the substance down the esophagus and into the stomach. This action is essential for digestion and sustenance.
Swallow (verb) can also be used metaphorically to describe accepting or internalizing something, such as accepting a difficult truth or belief. It indicates the act of comprehending or assimilating information or ideas, usually without hesitation.
As a noun, "swallow" refers to a small, migratory passerine bird with long, pointed wings and the ability to fly swiftly and gracefully. These birds are commonly found across different continents and are known for their distinctive swift flight patterns and their ability to catch insects in mid-air.
Swallow can also be used as a noun to describe the action of swallowing, as in the physical process of ingesting food or liquid. Additionally, it can refer to a deep gulping sound made during emotional distress or nervousness.
In summary, the word "swallow" encompasses a range of meanings, from the physical action of ingesting food or liquid, to the metaphorical act of understanding or accepting information, and even describing a specific species of bird with distinct flight patterns.
-
To pass anything through the fauces, pharynx, and esophagus into the stomach; to perform deglutition.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
-
• A well-known migratory bird which arrives in Britain about the middle of April.
• To take down the throat; to absorb; to draw or sink into; to engross; to occupy completely; to exhaust; to consume; to receive or embrace without scruple or examination, as opinions.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for SWALLOW
Etymology of SWALLOW
The word "swallow" has an Old English origin and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "swalwǭ" or "swalwô". This Proto-Germanic word is believed to have been derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*s(w)el-", meaning "to whiz, to fly swiftly". The word "swallow" has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Old Norse "svala" and Old High German "walawa". Ultimately, the origin of the word "swallow" can be linked to the imitative sound of the bird's call or the swift, graceful flight.
Idioms with the word SWALLOW
-
swallow your words
The idiom "swallow your words" means to retract or take back something that has been said, typically after realizing it was incorrect, offensive, or inappropriate. It suggests swallowing one's pride or admitting one's mistake by retracting a statement or opinion.
-
hard to swallow
The idiom "hard to swallow" means that something is difficult to accept or believe. It refers to situations, ideas, or truths that are emotionally challenging or contradictory to one's beliefs or expectations.
-
swallow your pride
The idiom "swallow your pride" means to ignore one's feelings of pride or ego, particularly in a situation where it would be wiser or more beneficial to set aside one's pride and submit or yield. It entails putting aside one's personal vanity or reluctance in order to do what is necessary, even if it might humble or embarrass oneself.
-
swallow the bait
To "swallow the bait" means to fall for a trick or to be deceived by someone's false promises or intentions. It refers to the act of being easily convinced or persuaded, particularly when someone is attempting to manipulate or ensnare you.
-
swallow/take the bait
The idiom "swallow/take the bait" refers to someone falling for a deceptive or tempting offer, statement, or action. It implies that a person has been lured or tricked into believing something or taking action that may ultimately work against their best interests.
-
swallow sm or sth up
The idiom "swallow something up" means to engross or consume something entirely, often referring to an overwhelming or dominant force or situation that absorbs or takes control of something completely. It can also imply the act of completely depleting or using up a resource or object.
-
swallow one's pride
The idiom "swallow one's pride" means to suppress one's ego or self-importance, often to admit a mistake, accept a humiliating situation, or ask for forgiveness in order to resolve a conflict. It involves setting aside one's pride or ego for the sake of harmony or resolution.
-
swallow sth down
The idiom "swallow sth down" means to suppress or stifle one's emotions, feelings, or thoughts, especially when they are difficult or unpleasant. It refers to the act of forcing oneself to accept or tolerate something, often in order to maintain composure or avoid conflict.
-
one swallow does not a spring make
The definition for the idiom "one swallow does not a spring make" is that a single occurrence or event cannot be considered as evidence or proof of a larger trend or pattern.
-
one swallow does not make a spring
The idiom "one swallow does not make a spring" means that a single positive event or occurrence does not guarantee long-term success or happiness. It warns against drawing broad conclusions based on isolated instances. Just as the arrival of one swallow does not indicate the arrival of spring, one positive event or sign does not necessarily signify a permanent or significant change.
-
a hard pill to swallow
The idiom "a hard pill to swallow" means accepting or dealing with a difficult or unpleasant truth, situation, or piece of information
-
swallow up sb/sth
The idiom "swallow up sb/sth" is defined as an expression that means to completely engulf or consume someone or something, often in a figurative sense. It implies the notion of overpowering or overwhelming with a force or presence, making it impossible to resist or escape. This idiom is commonly used to describe situations where a person or thing is engulfed or absorbed by something larger or more powerful.
-
strain at gnats and swallow camels
The idiom "strain at gnats and swallow camels" means to focus or fret over minor or trivial issues while overlooking or tolerating much larger and more important problems. It refers to someone paying excessive attention to insignificant details while neglecting more significant matters. The phrase is derived from a biblical reference in Matthew 23:24, where Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for meticulously straining out a gnat from their wine but failing to notice the larger issue of their own hypocrisy.
-
wish the ground would swallow (one) up
The idiom "wish the ground would swallow (one) up" is used to describe a feeling of extreme embarrassment or shame that makes a person wish they could disappear or hide from public view. It conveys the strong desire to escape a situation or be absorbed by the ground, as if it would be better to vanish completely than to face the consequences or judgment of others.
-
swallow hook, line, and sinker
The idiom "swallow hook, line, and sinker" means to completely and unquestioningly believe something, usually a lie or deception, without any doubts or skepticism. It refers to the act of a fish swallowing an entire fishing lure, comprising of the hook, the line, and the sinker, which indicates that someone has fallen for something entirely.
-
bitter pill to swallow
The idiom "bitter pill to swallow" refers to an unpleasant or difficult truth or situation that is difficult to accept or come to terms with. It suggests that accepting or facing the reality can be uncomfortable or emotionally challenging, much like swallowing a bitter-tasting medicine.
-
wish the ground would swallow up
The idiom "wish the ground would swallow up" is an expression used to convey extreme embarrassment or shame, to the point where one desires to disappear or be swallowed by the ground. It implies a strong wish or desire for immediate escape from an embarrassing or awkward situation.
-
swallow the anchor
The idiom "swallow the anchor" is used to describe someone who has decided to permanently leave behind their life at sea or their maritime career and settle on land. It implies that the person has chosen to leave behind their adventurous and transient lifestyle to establish a more stable and grounded existence.
-
swallow sth hook, line, and sinker
The idiom "swallow something hook, line, and sinker" means to believe something completely and without hesitation, often to the point of being gullible or easily deceived. It suggests that someone has accepted a story or statement without any doubt or skepticism, similar to how a fish would swallow a baited hook along with the fishing line and sinker used to weigh it down.
-
a bitter pill (to swallow)
The idiom "a bitter pill (to swallow)" refers to an unpleasant or difficult truth, circumstance, or outcome that is hard to accept or come to terms with. It denotes a situation that causes disappointment, frustration, or distress, requiring one to face and accept something unpleasant or challenging.
-
one swallow doesn't make a summer
The idiom "one swallow doesn't make a summer" means that a single positive event or action does not necessarily indicate a larger pattern or guarantee future success. It suggests that it takes more than one instance or occurrence to draw meaningful conclusions or generalizations.
-
wish the ground would swallow you up
The idiom "wish the ground would swallow you up" is used to convey a strong feeling of embarrassment or shame. It implies that someone desires to disappear or be invisible because they are experiencing intense humiliation or guilt in a particular situation.
-
One swallow does not make a summer,
-
swallow the dictionary
-
a bitter pill (for somebody) (to swallow)
The idiom "a bitter pill (for somebody) (to swallow)" means accepting something unpleasant or difficult to accept. It refers to a situation or news that is hard to digest or come to terms with.
Similar spelling words for SWALLOW
Conjugate verb Swallow
CONDITIONAL
I
would swallow
you
would swallow
he/she/it
would swallow
we
would swallow
they
would swallow
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be swallowing
you
would be swallowing
he/she/it
would be swallowing
we
would be swallowing
they
would be swallowing
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have swallow
you
would have swallow
he/she/it
would have swallow
we
would have swallow
they
would have swallow
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been swallowing
you
would have been swallowing
he/she/it
would have been swallowing
we
would have been swallowing
they
would have been swallowing
FUTURE
I
will swallow
you
will swallow
he/she/it
will swallow
we
will swallow
they
will swallow
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be swallowing
you
will be swallowing
he/she/it
will be swallowing
we
will be swallowing
they
will be swallowing
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have swallowed
you
will have swallowed
he/she/it
will have swallowed
we
will have swallowed
they
will have swallowed
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been swallowing
you
will have been swallowing
he/she/it
will have been swallowing
we
will have been swallowing
they
will have been swallowing
IMPERATIVE
you
swallow
we
let´s swallow
to swallow
PAST
I
swallowed
you
swallowed
he/she/it
swallowed
we
swallowed
they
swallowed
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was swallowing
you
were swallowing
he/she/it
was swallowing
we
were swallowing
they
were swallowing
PAST PARTICIPLE
swallowed
PAST PERFECT
I
had swallowed
you
had swallowed
he/she/it
had swallowed
we
had swallowed
they
had swallowed
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been swallowing
you
had been swallowing
he/she/it
had been swallowing
we
had been swallowing
they
had been swallowing
PRESENT
I
swallow
you
swallow
he/she/it
swallows
we
swallow
they
swallow
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am swallowing
you
are swallowing
he/she/it
is swallowing
we
are swallowing
they
are swallowing
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
swallowing
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have swallowed
you
have swallowed
he/she/it
has swallowed
we
have swallowed
they
have swallowed
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been swallowing
you
have been swallowing
he/she/it
has been swallowing
we
have been swallowing
they
have been swallowing
I
would have swallowed
we
would have swallowed
you
would have swallowed
he/she/it
would have swallowed
they
would have swallowed
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
