douse in

USAGE SUMMARY

"douse in" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing the action of soaking or saturating something with a liquid. Example: "She decided to douse in water the flames that were spreading." Alternative expressions include "soak in" and "saturate with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But accompanying vegetables received a great deal more attention than a half-hearted douse in boiling water.

The New York Times

A valuable guitar that Jimi Hendrix was seen to douse in lighter fluid, smash to pieces and set fire to on stage in 1967 will go on sale next week in one piece, and without any signs of scorching.

Independent

By 2000, more than half of all cosmetics sold in America were hers.Whether women actually became more beautiful by applying Body Performance Anti-Cellulite Visible Contouring Serum, or whether they would have done as well with a quick douse in cold water, is impossible to say.

The Economist

Douse in doubt anything that suggests it can deliver on something that requires time, discipline, change in behavior, and hard work, without time, discipline, change in behavior and hard work.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Salvatore Ferragamo was doused in color.

The New York Times

Sometimes they are doused in paint.

The Guardian - Arts

I don't like to be doused in scent.

The New York Times

She had been strangled by hand and doused in bleach.

The New York Times

Hundreds of victims were doused in petrol and burnt alive.

Independent

They were not doused in a deluge of numbers.

The New York Times

Then there are "enrobed" chocolates, in which fillings are cut or formed and doused in chocolate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "douse in" when you want to convey a sense of thorough soaking, often with a quick or somewhat forceful action. It's suitable for both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "douse in" excessively in metaphorical situations where a more nuanced verb like "immerse" or "infuse" might be more appropriate. Overuse can make your writing sound cliché or less precise.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "douse in" is as a phrasal verb, typically functioning as a transitive verb when followed by a direct object. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, indicating its established role in the language.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "douse in" is a phrasal verb used to describe the action of thoroughly soaking or saturating something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While not extremely frequent, its usage is clear and consistent. Alternatives like "soak in" or "saturate with" can be used for variety or increased precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drench in

Emphasizes a heavy and thorough wetting.

soak in

Focuses on absorption rather than a quick covering.

saturate with

Emphasizes a thorough permeation.

immerse in

Suggests complete submersion, physically or metaphorically.

flood with

Implies an overflowing or abundant application.

steep in

Implies prolonged soaking, often for flavor or effect.

bathe in

Evokes a gentle and often luxurious application.

infuse with

Focuses on introducing a quality or element throughout.

cover with

Highlights the act of applying a layer on top.

smother in

Suggests an excessive or overwhelming application.

FAQs

How can I use "douse in" in a sentence?

You can use "douse in" to describe something being thoroughly soaked in a liquid, like "The chef "doused in" sauce the dish before serving it" or to describe being overwhelmed by something, like "The city was "doused in" a thick fog".

What's the difference between "douse in" and "immerse in"?

"Douse in" implies a quicker, more forceful soaking, while "immerse in" suggests a deeper, more prolonged submersion or involvement.

Is "douse in" formal or informal?

"Douse in" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both informal and formal contexts, although more formal writing may benefit from more precise synonyms.

What can I say instead of "douse in"?

You can use alternatives like "soak in", "saturate with", or "drench in" depending on the context.