hollow drum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hollow drum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a drum that is empty or lacking substance, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "The sound produced by the hollow drum echoed through the empty hall, creating an eerie atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In the modern process, charcoal and sulfur are placed in a hollow drum along with heavy steel balls.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The performances are imperfect (of the hollow drum sound on "Lover of Love," Vega writes, "Call it compressed leakage through a piano lid"), floppy, weird, and humane.

The New Yorker

Ralph A. Sarotte, the general manager of Chrysler's minivan operations, said the company had rejected fold-away seats after finding that the space for folding them down could function as a hollow drum, amplifying road noise and making it difficult for passengers to hear one another.

The New York Times

Except for a little swishy lapse at the finale as he scurries to evade the Micmac chief, who really is on the warpath, Lane is in fine, frenetic macho masquerade here, and his camp bravado works well for Smith, who is a hollow drum making a loud noise.

The New Yorker

The introduced modification is in the form of a slowly rotating hollow drum within the still cavity that allows the formation of thin water films, which evaporate rapidly.

Solar Energy

"My Hollow Drum is my family and they definitely helped shape my sound," Teebs said.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The hollow drum-pad made the whole "nekkid" affair feel lifeless from the get-go, and the song's repetitive R&B structure needed excellent vocals to bring it to life – which weren't forthcoming.

The Guardian - Music

Eventually, a heartbeat-like rhythm emerges even deeper in tone than the main line of sound that soon turns into a more hollow drum-beat, as though someone is banging on a bucket very far away.

Vice

At unequal distances all around the shores of the lake were nearly white-hot chimneys or hollow drums of lava, four or five feet high, and up through them were bursting gorgeous sprays of lava-gouts and gem spangles, some white, some red and some golden -- a ceaseless bombardment, and one that fascinated the eye with its unapproachable splendor.

Huffington Post

But in the second raga his partnership with Fateh Singh Gangani on the less usual pakhawaj -- a hollow log drum with a skin at each end -- was more one of two travelers journeying together, or dancing together, the sound of the sarod folding into that of its sonorous companion.

The New York Times - Arts

As for the song itself, Snakehips' version of "Cigarettes" pits tender vocals against hollow, booming drum hits, surging synths, and manic arpeggios.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hollow drum" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly establishes the intended association with emptiness, superficiality, or lack of substance.

Common error

Avoid using "hollow drum" in contexts where a literal drum is intended without clarity. If discussing a musical instrument, specify its type and condition rather than relying solely on "hollow drum" to convey its sound or state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hollow drum" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "hollow" modifies the noun "drum". Ludwig's examples illustrate both literal uses (describing a physical drum) and metaphorical applications, where it represents something lacking substance or depth.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hollow drum" is a noun phrase used both literally to describe a drum with an empty sound and metaphorically to represent emptiness or lack of substance. Ludwig AI shows that it appears across various contexts, including News & Media and Encyclopedias, with neutral tone. While grammatically correct, its frequency is relatively uncommon. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly signals the intended meaning. Given that Ludwig gives a positive feedback about the usability of the query, the suggestions made in here are mostly to take inspiration for when and how to use it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty barrel

Replaces "drum" with "barrel", suggesting a different container but maintaining the sense of emptiness.

resonant void

Emphasizes the sound quality and emptiness.

sonorous cavity

Highlights the sound-producing aspect of the hollow space.

echoing emptiness

Focuses on the echoing effect within the hollow space.

vacant cylinder

Uses a more technical term for the shape and emptiness.

hollow resonance

Inverts the original phrase, emphasizing the sound quality.

empty percussion

Focuses on the musical aspect and lack of content.

chamber of echoes

Replaces drum with a broader term describing the space where sound reverberates.

hollow shell

Emphasizes the outer structure and lack of inner substance.

vacant resonating body

Uses more formal language to describe a hollow object that produces sound.

FAQs

How can "hollow drum" be used in a sentence?

You can use "hollow drum" to describe an actual drum with an empty sound, as in "The percussionist replaced the "hollow drum" with one that resonated more fully". It can also be used metaphorically to describe something lacking substance, such as "His promises were as empty as a "hollow drum"".

What is the difference between "hollow drum" and "empty drum"?

While "empty drum" simply suggests a drum that has nothing inside, ""hollow drum"" often implies a deeper emptiness or a lack of resonance. The term "hollow" carries a stronger connotation of lacking substance or depth.

What can I say instead of "hollow drum" when referring to a person?

If you want to describe a person as being superficial or insincere, instead of saying they are a "hollow drum" you might consider phrases such as "empty vessel", "shallow person", or "insincere individual".

Is "hollow drum" a common expression?

While the words are frequently used together, "hollow drum" is not a widely recognized idiom. It is more often used as a descriptive phrase. Ludwig indicates that it has a limited but existent usage.