ENGLISH
REFERENCE

drill into

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to teach someone something by repeating it many times until they remember it perfectly.

phr. v.. to impart knowledge or habits through intensive, repetitive instruction; often implies a forceful or mechanical method of teaching.


SIMPLE

My coach drills the rules into us every day.

CONTEXTUAL

The importance of safety was drilled into me from the very first day of my apprenticeship.

COMPLEX

The philosophy of the firm is drilled into every new recruit during an intensive three-week orientation program designed to ensure total compliance.

Particles
into
Separability
optional
Pattern
drill + object + into + person
Usage

usually follows the pattern 'drill something into someone'.

Teaching tip

connect this to the physical action of a drill tool to help students visualize the idea of 'forcing' information deep into the mind through repetition.

Pitfall

The teacher drilled into the students the facts.The teacher drilled the facts into the students.the information being taught usually sits between 'drill' and 'into'.

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