Phrasal verb
suck down
Definition
phrasal verb. to drink or eat something very quickly, often using a straw or by swallowing large amounts at once.
phrasal verb. to consume a liquid or soft food rapidly and in large quantities. Often carries a connotation of greediness or haste; can also be used figuratively for the rapid consumption of resources.
Examples
“He sucked down the cold soda in seconds.”
“After the long race, the runners were sucking down water as fast as the volunteers could hand it out.”
“The massive engines sucked down fuel at an alarming rate, forcing the pilot to consider an emergency landing.”
Examples
simple
“He sucked down the cold soda in seconds.”
contextual
“After the long race, the runners were sucking down water as fast as the volunteers could hand it out.”
complex
“The massive engines sucked down fuel at an alarming rate, forcing the pilot to consider an emergency landing.”
Usage
transitive verb that can be used literally for drinking or figuratively for high consumption rates.
Teaching tip
compare with 'gulp down' or 'chug'; 'suck down' specifically emphasizes the physical action of drawing liquid in, often implying a straw or a narrow opening.
Pitfall
He sucked down it quickly.
He sucked it down quickly.
when the object is a pronoun like 'it', it must be placed between the verb and the particle.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down
Separability
optional
Pattern
suck + down + 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/suck-down