come flooding back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come flooding back" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to memories or feelings that have suddenly become very clear or vivid in the present. For example, "When I heard this song, all the pleasant memories from my childhood come flooding back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Her creative hopes come flooding back.

The New York Times - Books

"It's all come flooding back," she says.

The New York Times

All the memories come flooding back".

The New York Times

Ah, yes, the memories come flooding back.

The Guardian - Travel

For some, those memories have come flooding back.

The New York Times

As you sit there, your own memories come flooding back.

The Guardian - Film

No expectation that everything will come flooding back.

The Guardian - Film

… But first, the memories, they come flooding back!

The New York Times

They warned that children would eventually come flooding back into the system.

The New York Times

The memories come flooding back to him, bright but patchy, like sun streaming through the trees.

The New York Times

"Whenever I look at it," he said, "the memories, they come flooding back".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come flooding back" when you want to convey a sense of suddenness and intensity in the return of memories, feelings, or information. It works best when describing something that overwhelms the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "come flooding back" in formal or technical writing where a more precise and less metaphorical expression would be more appropriate. For instance, don't use it when describing data retrieval in a database.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come flooding back" primarily functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to describe how memories, feelings, or other sensations are experienced. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come flooding back" is a versatile and frequently used expression that conveys a sense of sudden and intense return, typically applied to memories, feelings, or other sensations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears most commonly in news and media contexts. While appropriate for many situations, writers should avoid overuse in highly technical or formal writing where more precise language might be preferred. Consider alternatives such as "resurface vividly" or "return in a rush" to fine-tune the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come rushing back

Replaces the imagery of flooding with that of rushing, retaining the emphasis on speed and force.

sweep over one

Emphasizes the emotional impact and overpowering nature, using a different sensory metaphor.

return in a rush

Emphasizes the speed of the return, replacing the metaphor of flowing water with a sense of urgency.

resurface vividly

Focuses on the clarity and intensity of the resurfacing, omitting the sense of overwhelming quantity.

re-emerge strongly

Highlights the power and intensity of the re-emergence, differing in its descriptive emphasis.

rise to the surface

Utilizes the metaphor of something submerged ascending, offering a subtler imagery than "flooding".

be recalled vividly

Emphasizes the clarity of recollection, differing from the original in its active/passive voice shift and focus.

spring to mind

Indicates a sudden and spontaneous appearance in one's thoughts, lacking the emotional intensity.

reappear suddenly

Focuses on the abruptness of reappearance, omitting the sense of abundance or intensity.

rekindle intensely

Focuses on the renewal of feelings or memories with intensity, changing the core image.

FAQs

How can I use "come flooding back" in a sentence?

You can use "come flooding back" to describe a sudden and intense return of memories, feelings, or ideas. For example, "Hearing that old song made all the memories of summer "come flooding back"".

What does "come flooding back" mean?

The phrase "come flooding back" means that memories, feelings, or other sensations return suddenly and intensely, often overwhelming the person experiencing them.

What can I say instead of "come flooding back"?

Alternatives to "come flooding back" include "resurface vividly", "return in a rush", or "sweep over one", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "come flooding back" a formal or informal expression?

"Come flooding back" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both informal and some formal contexts, though more formal writing may benefit from more precise language.