PhrasesHub

swallow her up

    Definitions

      • overwhelm or consume
        To be engulfed or overpowered by something, such as emotions, a situation, or a large task

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

    Examples of swallow her up

    • The tall skyscraper swallowed her up as she stepped out of the elevator into the bustling lobby.

      Here, "swallowed her up" is used figuratively to mean that the person was engulfed by the size and magnitude of the lobby, which was crowded with people and seemed overwhelming to her.

    • The angry mob surrounded him, their voices a deafening roar that threatened to swallow him up.

      In this example, "swallowed him up" is used metaphorically to mean that the sound of the mob's voices was so loud and intimidating that it felt as though it might consume him whole.

    • The waves crashed against the shore, swallowing up anything in their path.

      Here, "swallowed up" is used figuratively to mean that the waves were so strong and powerful that they seemed to devour anything that came in their way, including rocks, sand, and even unsuspecting beachgoers.

    • The restaurant was packed with people, leaving them no room to breathe. It felt as though the walls were closing in on them, threatening to swallow them up.

      In this final example, "swallowed them up" is used figuratively to convey the intense feeling of being overwhelmed and trapped in a crowded space, where it seems as though there's no escape.

    • The crowd engulfed the tiny girl, swallowing her up in their enthusiastic cheers.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone or something is completely overwhelmed or engulfed by a larger force, in this case, a crowd that is cheering loudly. The "swallowing" action in this instance is metaphorical as the crowd is not literally consuming the girl. Rather, it's describing how the girl is completely subsumed by the noise and energy of the crowd, making her seem small and insignificant in comparison.

    • The waves crashed against the seawall, swallowing it up inch by inch.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where something is being slowly consumed or eroded by a larger force. In this case, the force is the relentless force of the ocean's waves that are eroding the seawall over time. The "swallowing" action is metaphorical, as the waves are not literally consuming the seawall, but rather, it's describing how the seawall is being slowly worn away by the waves over time.

    • The speaker's voice was drowned out by the noise, swallowed up by the crowd's chatter.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone's voice or sound is completely overpowered or drowned out by a larger noise or chatter. In this case, the speaker's voice is being engulfed by the sound of the crowd's chatter, making it difficult or impossible to hear what the speaker is saying. The "swallowing" action is metaphorical, as the crowd's chatter is not literally swallowing the speaker's voice, but rather, it's describing how the sound of the crowd is completely overshadowing the speaker's voice.

    • The thief disappeared into the crowd, swallowed up by the sea of people.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone or something is completely blended in or hidden amongst a larger group or crowd. In this case, the thief is melting into the crowd, making it difficult or impossible to find them amongst the sea of people. The "swallowing" action is metaphorical, as the crowd is not literally consuming the thief, but it's describing how the thief is becoming indistinguishable from the larger crowd.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "swallow her up" can be used to describe feeling overwhelmed or consumed by something, as well as to caution against engaging in a particular activity or task. It conveys the idea of being engulfed or overpowered, whether by emotions, a situation, or a large task, and serves as a warning to avoid negative outcomes.

    Origin of "swallow her up"

    The origin of the idiom "swallow her up" can be traced back to the idea of being consumed or engulfed by something, much like being swallowed by a large creature or entity. The imagery of being swallowed up by a force beyond one's control has been used in various cultures and literature to convey a sense of being overwhelmed or overpowered. This idiom likely originated from the concept of being engulfed physically or figuratively, and has been used over time to express the feeling of being consumed by a situation or to caution against engaging in activities that may lead to negative outcomes. An example of this can be found in literature, where characters are often described as being "swallowed up" by their emotions or circumstances.