douse yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "douse yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is instructed to immerse themselves in a liquid, often water, or to extinguish flames on themselves. Example: "After the fire broke out, the firefighter shouted to the victim to douse yourself with water to cool down the burns."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Then, to combat signs of aging, douse yourself in retinol nightly.

The New Yorker

These are the years when you douse yourself in stinkage, to the nauseating dismay of everyone within a five-mile radius.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Ferguson protesters do not have time to stand still and watch you douse yourself with ice in a bid for absolution.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you wanted to pass yourself off as a third-generation heiress just back from a stint of do-gooding in Ladakh, you might run into Barneys and douse yourself with Chanel No. 5.

The New York Times - Magazine

If you are going self-service, follow this up with a loofah-and-soap rub-down and douse yourself with water from the marble basins.

BBC

Feel free to fan yourself, or douse yourself with ice water. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Wondering about the benefits of dousing yourself in nearly freezing water at this time of year?

The New Yorker

La fiesta Get yourself in the mood for carnival by dousing yourself in cachaça and swinging to the samba beat.

Independent

There are a number of big white buckets and a fountain full of cold water for dousing yourself.

The New York Times - Arts

You'd have had a better time spending an hour punching yourself in the mouth, or blasting yourself with gravel and then dousing yourself in vinegar.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Dousing yourself in a bucket of ice water may be great for the shock value, but leave it to Patrick Stewart to show ALS fundraising can also be done with style, taste and class.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to cool down, use "douse yourself" to suggest a quick and effective method, especially in emergencies like overheating or after exposure to fire.

Common error

While "douse yourself" is acceptable in many contexts, it can sound too informal or dramatic for formal writing. Consider using more neutral phrases like "apply liberally" or "saturate" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "douse yourself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of dousing (covering with liquid) is performed by and upon the subject. Ludwig examples show it used in both literal (cooling down, extinguishing flames) and figurative (applying perfume) contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

43%

News & Media

40%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "douse yourself" is a commonly used reflexive verb phrase that instructs someone to quickly and thoroughly cover themselves with a liquid. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently appears in Wiki and News & Media contexts. While acceptable in many situations, it is important to consider the level of formality required for the writing context, as it may sound too informal in some academic or business settings. Alternatives like "soak yourself" or "immerse yourself" can provide a similar meaning with a slightly different tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Soak yourself

This alternative suggests a thorough wetting, similar to "douse", but without the potential implication of forcefulness.

Immerse yourself

This phrase implies a complete submersion, carrying a slightly more dramatic connotation than "douse".

Cover yourself

A broader term indicating that something is being applied across the surface of yourself.

Splash yourself

This suggests a lighter, more playful application of liquid, a less intense version of "douse".

Bathe yourself

Implies washing yourself, but using more water than dousing.

Anoint yourself

This refers to the ritual of applying oil or ointment, often with a spiritual connotation.

Saturate yourself

Suggests filling yourself with something until it can hold no more.

Lather yourself

This alternative implies applying a foamy substance like soap or shaving cream.

Smear yourself

Suggests an uneven, often messy application of something.

Spray yourself

This implies the action of applying something by using a sprayer.

FAQs

How to use "douse yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "douse yourself" to describe the act of quickly covering oneself with a liquid. For example, "After the race, the athlete had to "douse himself" with water to cool down."

What can I say instead of "douse yourself"?

You can use alternatives like "soak yourself", "immerse yourself", or "cover yourself", depending on the context and level of intensity you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "douse yourself" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "douse yourself" may sound too informal or dramatic for formal writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives such as "apply liberally" or "saturate" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "douse yourself" and "splash yourself"?

"Douse yourself" implies a thorough and often forceful application of liquid, while "splash yourself" suggests a lighter, more playful action. The former is more likely to be used in emergencies or situations requiring quick cooling, while the latter is more casual.