# drill into

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drill-into
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- My coach drills the rules into us every day.
- The importance of safety was drilled into me from the very first day of my apprenticeship.
- The philosophy of the firm is drilled into every new recruit during an intensive three-week orientation program designed to ensure total compliance.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The teacher drilled into the students the facts." but "The teacher drilled the facts into the students." — the information being taught usually sits between 'drill' and 'into'.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.