slowly drowning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slowly drowning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone feels overwhelmed or is struggling to cope with difficulties over time. Example: "As deadlines piled up and stress increased, I felt like I was slowly drowning in my responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

IS PORTUGAL slowly drowning?

The Economist

"I've been given a bit more time, but I'm slowly drowning in financial problems," Mr. Odero added.

The New York Times

It's a show about a bored-looking alcoholic slowly drowning in a sea of sideburns over the course of a decade.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was too horribly obvious that dozens of men with serious wounds must have crawled for safety into new shell-holes, and now the water was rising about them and, powerless to move, they were slowly drowning.

Independent

Raw grief reaches a limit, and people find their way to mental health, or not, by letting things go and getting on with life, or by slowly drowning in a moment of loss.

The New York Times

It is the tale of a serial killer who kidnaps women and imprisons them in a tank, slowly drowning them, and who is undone by Jennifer Lopez, a psychotherapist able to enter his mind (don't ask).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Warner Bros has reportedly dropped its opposition to a Greenpiece parody video in which characters from the hit Lego Movie are slowly drowned in oil.

The Guardian - Film

You can hear it on 23 Minutes in Brussels, an extraordinary recording from June 1978, where Suicide's slot is slowly drowned in booing by the audience.

The Guardian - Music

In "Gomorrah," bodies are decapitated with circular saws, strangled slowly, drowned in mud, tossed down wells with live grenades, shot point blank near a statue of Padre Pio.

The New York Times - Books

He next murders a television research consultant who had advised the local station to dismiss him: he buries the guy in beach sand up to his neck and lets him slowly drown.

The New Yorker

The rest of the novel will take place as Aljaz slowly drowns: on the brink of death, he has become "simultaneously filmmaker, projectionist and audience" to an eerie, sad Tasmanian home movie.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "slowly drowning" can be used literally, it is more often used figuratively to describe emotional or financial distress. Maintain consistency in tone.

Common error

Avoid using "slowly drowning" too frequently in your writing, as it can lose its impact. Vary your descriptions with "gradually sinking" or "being overwhelmed" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slowly drowning" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'slowly' modifies the action of 'drowning.' Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It often acts as a figurative expression to describe a gradual decline or being overwhelmed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slowly drowning" is a versatile expression used to describe a gradual decline or overwhelming feeling, as validated by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and commonly found in News & Media, its figurative nature requires careful consideration of tone, especially in formal contexts. When alternatives like "gradually sinking" or "being overwhelmed" can offer a more nuanced or appropriate description. Be careful to avoid overuse and ensure clarity in what is causing the overwhelming sensation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually sinking

Emphasizes a gradual downward movement or decline, similar to the literal sense of drowning.

steadily declining

Focuses on a consistent and irreversible decrease or weakening over time.

being overwhelmed

Highlights the feeling of being burdened or overcome by circumstances.

bit by bit succumbing

Suggests a gradual yielding or giving in to something, often negative.

slowly succumbing

Suggests a gradual yielding or giving in to something, often negative.

inching towards disaster

Implies a slow and almost imperceptible movement towards a negative outcome.

gradually deteriorating

Highlights a progressive decline in condition or quality.

losing ground steadily

Suggests a consistent loss of advantage or position.

spiraling downward

Conveys a sense of rapid and uncontrolled decline.

in a downward spiral

Conveys a sense of rapid and uncontrolled decline.

FAQs

How can I use "slowly drowning" in a sentence?

You can use "slowly drowning" to describe a gradual decline or being overwhelmed by something. For example, "He felt like he was slowly drowning in debt" or "The project was slowly drowning in administrative issues".

What can I say instead of "slowly drowning"?

You can use alternatives like ""gradually sinking"", ""being overwhelmed"", or "steadily declining" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "slowly drowning" in formal writing?

While "slowly drowning" is generally acceptable, consider the tone and audience. In highly formal contexts, a more neutral alternative like "gradually deteriorating" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "slowly drowning" and "quickly drowning"?

"Slowly drowning" implies a gradual and prolonged struggle, whereas "quickly drowning" suggests a rapid and sudden overwhelming. The choice depends on the pace and intensity you want to convey.