# suck down

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/suck-down
Updated: 2026-10-23

## Definition

to drink or eat something very quickly, often using a straw or by swallowing large amounts at once.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He sucked down it quickly." but "He sucked it down quickly." — when the object is a pronoun like 'it', it must be placed between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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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.