flooded over

USAGE SUMMARY

"flooded over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to cover or inundate something with a large amount of water, or to come over or spread out in a rapid and overwhelming way. You can use it to describe a physical flood, or to describe a sensory overload or overwhelming emotion. Example: The river had risen to dangerous levels and flooded over its banks, causing widespread damage to surrounding towns. The immense grief of losing her husband suddenly flooded over her, leaving her unable to speak or move. The excitement of winning the championship flooded over the entire team, as they hugged and cheered in celebration.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Water and poetry merge as liquid sound in "The Dying Swan"; the landscape of mosses, weeds, "willow branches hoar and dank", is "flooded over with eddying song".

The Guardian - Books

When more than 1m refugees from the Communists' victory in China's civil war flooded over the border in 1949, the British colonial authorities had to do something to keep them alive and Hong Kong afloat.

The Economist

The only scandal in the last two decades with the intensity of the Enron debacle was one that flooded over -- and destroyed -- Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc., the Wall Street powerhouse that created the modern market for junk bonds.

The New York Times

The Brazos overflowing, in addition to the flooding of the nearby Salt Creek, resulted in the west side of Graham — the county seat of Young County where flood victims from Eliasville and South Bend had taken shelter — becoming flooded over to within blocks of the Young County Courthouse.

Wikipedia

Relief flooded over me.

The New York Times

So far, about 1,000 properties have been reported as flooded over the past week.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

One concerns the larger problem of crime and why Naples periodically floods over with its own refuse.

The New York Times

Flooding over with spontaneous volunteers in our OKC office.

The New York Times

Panic was also flooding over Arsenio's family in Tenares.

The New York Times

The city has been severely hit by flooding over the Christmas period.

Independent

The storm pushed historically high tides to flood over coastlines in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, authorities said.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional states using "flooded over", ensure the subject experiencing the emotion is clearly defined. For example, "Relief flooded over her" is clearer than "Relief flooded over."

Common error

Avoid overusing "flooded over" metaphorically in contexts where a simpler, more direct verb would suffice. Overuse can dilute the impact of the image. Consider alternatives like "overwhelmed" or "filled" for emotional descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "flooded over" primarily functions as a descriptive verb, indicating that something has been covered or overwhelmed by water or some other substance. Ludwig provides multiple examples of its usage in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flooded over" is a versatile phrasal verb with a primary meaning of being covered or overwhelmed, often by water, though it can also be used metaphorically. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent usage in news, media, and descriptive contexts. While it's generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of its intensity and avoid overuse in figurative senses. Understanding its literal and figurative applications, and considering related phrases, enables more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overflowed

This is a single-word verb that directly expresses the action of water exceeding its boundaries.

inundated

Implies a more extensive covering with water or other substances.

covered in water

More descriptive, emphasizing the state of being covered by water.

was submerged

Focuses on the state of being completely underwater.

breached its banks

Specifically refers to a river or body of water exceeding its natural or artificial boundaries.

overwhelmed

Can be used metaphorically to describe being overcome by a large quantity or force.

swept across

Suggests a rapid and forceful movement of water across an area.

deluged

Implies a heavy and overwhelming flood or downpour.

engulfed

Conveys a sense of being completely surrounded and swallowed up.

poured over

Suggests a continuous and abundant flow.

FAQs

How can I use "flooded over" in a sentence?

You can use "flooded over" to describe a situation where water covers something, like "The river /s/overflowed and "flooded over" the town". It can also be used metaphorically to describe an overwhelming feeling.

What's the difference between "flooded" and "flooded over"?

"Flooded" generally describes a state where something is covered in water. "Flooded over" implies that the water not only covered something, but also went over it or beyond its usual boundary.

What can I say instead of "flooded over"?

Alternatives include "overflowed", "inundated", or "covered in water", depending on the context.

Is "flooded over" the same as "swept over"?

While both phrases can describe an overwhelming sensation, "swept over" often implies a sudden and powerful emotional experience, whereas "flooded over" is more commonly associated with literal inundation or a gradual overwhelming.