Phrasal verb
drum into
Definition
phrasal verb. to teach someone something by repeating it many times until they remember it. You use this when you want to make sure someone never forgets a rule or a fact.
phrasal verb. to instill knowledge or ideas through persistent and forceful repetition. Transitive; the information being taught usually functions as the direct object, followed by 'into' and the recipient.
Examples
“My parents drummed the importance of hard work into me.”
“The safety procedures were drummed into the new employees during their first week of intensive training.”
“The fundamental principles of the scientific method were drummed into the students until they became second nature in every experiment.”
Examples
simple
“My parents drummed the importance of hard work into me.”
contextual
“The safety procedures were drummed into the new employees during their first week of intensive training.”
complex
“The fundamental principles of the scientific method were drummed into the students until they became second nature in every experiment.”
Usage
The information being taught usually comes before 'into', while the person learning comes after it.
Teaching tip
Use the image of a drum beat to explain the repetitive nature of the teaching method; it's more forceful than simply 'teaching'.
Pitfall
The coach drummed the rules to the team.
The coach drummed the rules into the team.
The phrase requires the preposition 'into' to convey the idea of information being forced into the mind.
Phrasal verb
Particles
into
Separability
separable
Pattern
drum + object + into + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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