have a swallow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a swallow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is referring to taking a drink or consuming a small amount of liquid, often in a casual or informal setting. Example: "After a long day, I like to sit back and have a swallow of my favorite whiskey."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the present study, the advantages of using the sublingual route were that one did not have to force the animal to swallow the medication and the absorption of the drug was ensured even in dogs that did not have a swallow reflex (unconscious anesthetized).

BMC Veterinary Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They even have a Swallows Cam trained on nests at the mission.

Los Angeles Times

Doctors in newborn intensive care units often ask non-physician colleagues like speech pathologists to determine whether an infant has a swallowing problem.

The New York Times

They had a "Swallows and Amazons" club, and took turns bringing in "grub" to eat, "grog" and "pemmican"; they sewed badges, and wrote notes in secret code.

The New Yorker

In addition, almost 80% of stroke patients had a swallowing assessment by a speech and language therapist within 72 hours, up from 62% in 2001.

The Guardian

Forty-four of 65 patients (~68%) with OPM data had a Swallowing Performance Status Scale (SPSS) score of ≤5, indicating various degrees of swallowing abnormalities not requiring a gastrostomy tube.

Duke University

We found out from the history obtained from his relatives that the patient had already had a swallowing disorder before the operation and suffered from aspiration.

Critical Care

Finally have a drink of water and swallow.

WikiHow

"Can I have a full drink and a swallow?

The New York Times - Food

I have a hard time swallowing this one.

TechCrunch

I had a friend swallow an eraser.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have a swallow" when you want to emphasize the act of taking a small drink, often in a casual or conversational context. For example, "After explaining the intricate details of the plan, he paused to "have a swallow" of water."

Common error

Avoid using "have a swallow" in formal or professional writing where more precise or sophisticated language is expected. Instead, opt for alternatives like "take a sip" or "drink a little".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a swallow" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of taking a small amount of liquid. As shown in Ludwig, it is often used to describe a brief pause to drink, providing context to an ongoing activity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have a swallow" is a phrase used to describe the act of taking a small amount of liquid, often in an informal setting. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in English. While not highly frequent, it appears in various contexts, including news articles and general descriptions. When choosing to use this phrase, consider your audience and the level of formality required. Alternatives such as "take a sip" or "take a drink" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a sip

Emphasizes taking a small amount of liquid, like a taste.

take a drink

A more general term for consuming liquid.

have a gulp

Implies taking a large swallow of liquid.

drink a bit

Indicates drinking a small quantity.

quaff a mouthful

Suggests drinking an amount that fills the mouth.

imbibe a portion

A more formal way to express drinking some liquid.

consume a little

General term for eating or drinking a small amount.

partake of a sip

Indicates formally taking a sip.

ingest a draught

Refers to drinking a portion, usually of medicine or something unpleasant.

down a shot

Implies quickly drinking a small amount of alcohol.

FAQs

What does "have a swallow" mean?

"Have a swallow" means to take a small amount of liquid into your mouth and "swallow" it. It's similar to taking a sip or a small drink.

How can I use "have a swallow" in a sentence?

You might say, "After the presentation, I'm going to "have a swallow" of water to refresh myself", or "He paused to "have a swallow" of his coffee before continuing the story".

What are some alternatives to "have a swallow"?

Alternatives include "take a sip", "take a drink", or "drink a little". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "have a swallow" formal or informal?

"Have a swallow" is generally considered an informal expression. In more formal settings, you might prefer phrases like "take a sip" or "consume a small amount".