flood down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flood down" is not a standard expression in written English and may not be widely understood.
It could be used in a context where something is overwhelming or pouring down, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "As the storm intensified, rain began to flood down from the sky, drenching everything in its path."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Rich and poor, young and old flood down from their homes at any given opportunity.

Independent

The relocation to higher ground was started as fears grew that a huge lake may flood down from the mountains where water has built up behind an unstable landslide.

The Guardian

Crosstown, uptown or downtown public transportation is only steps away, and taxis know just when to flood down Broadway and Columbus to pick up audience members.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Unprecedented torrents flooding down from the north.

The New Yorker

Subsidies that had supported small-time agriculture were dismantled, so poor, rural residents flooded down from the mountains into the valley in Mexico City.

The Guardian

The streets in the center of the city erupted at nightfall when thousands of youths, calling on the militant Islamic group Hamas to avenge the attacks, flooded down the main avenue.

The New York Times

The A9 was closed in both directions for part of Thursday afternoon between Ballinluig and Dunkeld after water flooded down from the hills, but has reopened.

BBC

The most compelling commemoration of the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, for me, is the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London - an ocean of blood-red ceramic poppies flooding down from the ramparts and filling the moat - 888,246 gorgeous oversized poppies, one for every British and colonial soldier who died in action.

BBC

Beneath my sunglasses, sweat flooded down into my beard.

Vice

A gigantic clap of thunder announced the returning storm, and an enormous spear of lighting spiked the sky with ethereal blue light as the rain flooded down with a vengeance.

Huffington Post

Say what you like, when that weird flutey sample thing flooded down over those clattering tabla drums and fireworks began pinging off the Port stage, "Bangarang" and "Baby" seemed like distant memories.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider more common and readily understood alternatives like "pour down" or "rush down" unless a specific nuance of "flood down" is desired. Ensure context supports this less common phrase.

Common error

While not grammatically incorrect, consistently using "flood down" can make your writing sound unnatural or awkward. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives such as "pour down" or "cascade down" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flood down" is that of a phrasal verb, specifically acting as an intransitive verb describing a downward movement. As shown by Ludwig, it describes the action of something flowing copiously from a higher to a lower position.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flood down" is a phrasal verb suggesting a downward flow of something in large quantities, though, as Ludwig AI explains, it is less common than alternatives like "pour down" or "cascade down". The sources analyzed show its usage across several contexts, but primarily in news media. Therefore, while grammatically correct, its infrequent usage warrants consideration of alternative phrases to ensure clarity and naturalness in writing. Using a more widely recognized alternative can often be more effective, depending on context. It is useful to be aware that the analysed data shows that the term is rare, so it may not be commonly found.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pour down

A more common and direct synonym emphasizing the downward flow.

cascade down

Suggests a more dramatic and visually impressive descent, like a waterfall.

stream down

Implies a continuous and steady flow downwards.

rush down

Highlights the speed and force of the downward movement.

surge down

Conveys a powerful and sudden downward movement.

pour forth

Emphasizes the abundance and origin of the flow, rather than just the downward direction.

sweep down

Indicates a broad and encompassing downward movement.

flow downwards

A more literal and descriptive alternative, emphasizing the direction of flow.

descend rapidly

Focuses on the speed and downward motion, lacking the sense of overwhelming quantity.

plummet down

Suggests a steep and rapid fall, often implying a negative outcome.

FAQs

What does "flood down" mean?

"Flood down" suggests a large quantity of something moving downwards, similar to a flood. It's less common than alternatives like "pour down" or "cascade down".

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

You can use "flood down" to describe water, people, or even abstract things moving downwards in large quantities, like "Tears have been flooding down my face". It's often more effective to use alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "flood down"?

Some alternatives include "pour down", "rush down", "stream down", or "cascade down". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "flood down" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "flood down" is not as standard or widely recognized as other similar phrasal verbs. Ludwig AI suggests it can be considered acceptable, but less common, than many alternatives.