swallowed up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'swallowed up' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiom that means to be completely engulfed or overwhelmed by something - for example, "The tall buildings swallowed up the skyline".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Vineyards by Etna swallowed up,.

The New Yorker

Lundqvist calmly swallowed up everything.

The New York Times - Sports

The four biggest clubs swallowed up 45p.

Independent

It swallowed up soldiers as they slept.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Too deep and swallowed up by Cech.

The New York Times

Whirlpool, the appliance conglomerate, swallowed up Maytag.

The New York Times

The money was just swallowed up".

The New York Times

His anti-Hitlerism partially swallowed up his pacifism.

The New Yorker

We don't want anyone swallowed up by an avalanche".

The New York Times - Magazine

Without it, we will be swallowed up," he said.

The New York Times

Economic disasters repeatedly swallowed up ordinary people's savings.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swallowed up" to vividly describe situations where something is completely overtaken or consumed by something else, whether literally or figuratively. For example, "The small business was swallowed up by the larger corporation."

Common error

Avoid using "swallowed up" in purely literal scenarios where a more straightforward term like "eaten" or "ingested" would be more appropriate. "Swallowed up" often carries a sense of something being overwhelmed or lost in the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swallowed up" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a passive construction. It describes the action of something being completely engulfed or consumed by something else. Ludwig AI indicates that this usage is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "swallowed up" functions as a phrasal verb denoting complete engulfment or absorption, often implying a loss of identity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly within News & Media. While versatile, it's best employed when emphasizing the thoroughness of the takeover. Related phrases include "engulfed", "consumed", and "absorbed", providing alternative ways to convey similar meanings. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively utilize "swallowed up" to add depth and vividness to their descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engulfed

This alternative suggests a complete and often sudden covering or surrounding, similar to something being completely "swallowed up".

consumed

This alternative highlights the idea of something being used up or completely taken over, akin to being "swallowed up".

absorbed

This implies that something has been taken in completely, often losing its original form, which aligns with the concept of being "swallowed up".

immersed

This suggests being deeply involved or covered in something, much like being "swallowed up" by an activity or environment.

overwhelmed

This conveys a sense of being overpowered or overcome by something, similar to the feeling of being "swallowed up" by a situation.

submerged

This emphasizes the action of being completely covered or hidden, particularly in a liquid or metaphorical sense, resembling being "swallowed up".

dissolved

Suggests that something is broken down and completely integrated, similar to the idea of being "swallowed up" by a larger entity.

vanished into

This alternative emphasizes the disappearance or obliteration of something, similar to being "swallowed up" without a trace.

lost in

This conveys the sense of being completely engrossed or absorbed to the point of losing oneself, much like being "swallowed up" by an experience.

enveloped

This alternative suggests being wrapped or surrounded completely, similar to the encompassing nature of being "swallowed up".

FAQs

How can I use "swallowed up" in a sentence?

You can use "swallowed up" to describe something being completely engulfed or consumed, such as "The company was "swallowed up" by its competitor" or "The noise of the city "swallowed up" their conversation".

What are some alternatives to "swallowed up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "engulfed", "consumed", "absorbed", or "overwhelmed" to convey a similar meaning to "swallowed up".

Is it correct to say "swallowed up by" or "swallowed up in"?

"Swallowed up by" is the more common and generally preferred construction. For example, "The town was "swallowed up by" the flood". While "swallowed up in" might occasionally appear, it's less idiomatic.

What does it mean when something is described as being "swallowed up"?

When something is described as being ""swallowed up"", it means it has been completely taken over, consumed, or engulfed by something else, often implying a loss of identity or individual existence.