drink down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drink down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of consuming a beverage quickly or in large quantities. Example: "After a long day at work, I like to come home and drink down a cold glass of lemonade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

At the reception feast on the Day of Judgment unbelievers fill their bellies with bitter fruit, and "drink down upon it hot water, drinking as drinks the camel crazed with thirst" (56:52 55).

Encyclopedia Britannica

He put his drink down and shook his head.

The New Yorker

He put his drink down and abruptly left the room.

The New York Times

Tovah set her drink down on the coffee table, rose, squeezed past Randy Gautier.

The New Yorker

"Put your drink down," he recalled saying after he suggested that they walk around between courses and reached the bar.

The New York Times

Many runners found it impossible to keep food and drink down: the road to Sparti is paved with vomit.

The Economist

As she began to speak, her hands seemed to become lighter, harder to control, so she had to put her drink down on a bookcase.

The New Yorker

Haddish put her drink down on the stool, then, as the music got louder, broke into an impromptu Nae Nae, popping her hips and lifting her legs one at a time.

The New Yorker

A case has to have something special for us to even put our drink down long enough to give it a look.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Only pour small quantities so you won't be tempted to sit your drink down to wander.

WikiHow

"Now drink down to the bottom!" he commanded.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and context; "drink down" can sometimes imply a lack of sophistication or a hurried action, so adjust your language accordingly.

Common error

Avoid using "drink down" in formal writing or professional settings where a more refined term like "consume" or "imbibe" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drink down" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It modifies the action of drinking, adding the nuance of completeness or rapidity. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and commonly understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

19%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "drink down" effectively conveys the act of consuming a beverage quickly or completely. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for neutral to informal settings; more formal occasions may call for alternatives like "consume" or "imbibe". Consider replacing "drink down" with "gulp down" or "chug down" to emphasize speed. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig highlight the phrase's broad applicability and subtle nuances, making it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gulp down

Suggests a quick and large swallow, emphasizing speed.

chug down

Implies drinking something quickly and continuously without pausing.

swig down

Indicates taking a large mouthful or draft of a drink.

toss down

Implies drinking something quickly and somewhat carelessly.

down in one

Emphasizes finishing a drink in a single, uninterrupted action.

drain the glass

Focuses on emptying the glass completely.

quaff

Suggests drinking heartily and with enjoyment.

imbibe

A more formal term for drinking, often used in literary contexts.

consume

A general term for eating or drinking.

partake of

A formal way to say to eat or drink something.

FAQs

What does "drink down" mean?

The phrase "drink down" typically means to consume a beverage quickly or completely, often implying a sense of haste or eagerness.

How can I use "drink down" in a sentence?

You might say, "After the race, I needed to "gulp down" a whole bottle of water" or "He "chugged down" his coffee before heading out the door".

What's a more formal way to say "drink down"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "consume" or "imbibe" instead of "drink down".

What are some alternatives to "drink down" that emphasize speed?

If you want to highlight the speed of drinking, consider using phrases like "gulp down", "chug down", or "toss down".