to drain

Examples

• All

• More than anything, the tension was getting to her, draining her of what strength she had left.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Actually, all my energy drains and I start to shut down and I start to feel terrible.

• I think trying to drain the energy from that movement is essential.

• Because your expenses will drain out your assets eventually.

• They drain us of everything until we are just like them.

  Death Tunnel (2005)

• Then, exhausted by the effort and drained by the heat, they collapsed onto the sand.

  Fiction book (1990)

• So are your subscriptions draining your wallet?

• It's harsh, and bleak, and draining.

  Pearl (2022)

• Meanwhile, oscillating oil prices and government mismanagement could drain their coffers and force them to cut popular subsidies.

  Academic text (2011)

• After a long day at work, the constant emails and meetings really drain my energy.

Synonyms

C

to consume

vsto drain

111 3.2

To use up resources until none are left

adds the idea of tiring people as well as using material resources

W

to wear out

vsto drain

65 2.7

To make a person very tired or a thing stop working by using it too much

is about steady reduction of energy or resources rather than single overuse

W

to wear down

vsto drain

62 4.1

Slowly make a person or thing weaker by repeated pressure

focuses on using up strength or resources over time instead of pressure

D

to deplete

vsto drain

41 6.3

To use up almost all of something so little is left

also covers causing tiredness as well as reducing material supplies

T

to tire out

vsto drain

24 2.1

To make a person very tired by using up their energy

covers both resource use and causing tiredness, not only physical exhaustion

E

to exhaust

vsto drain

21 3.2

To make someone very tired

describes gradual reduction rather than total or immediate depletion

B

to bleed dry

vsto drain

• Informal

16 7.3

Use up all a person's money or other resources

shares complete use but also includes gradual weakening or tiring

D

to debilitate

vsto drain

4 7.7

To make a person, animal, or thing weak and less able to work

also covers draining material or financial resources, not only physical harm

E

to enfeeble

vsto drain

3 8.4

To make a person or thing very weak

is broader, including both using up resources and causing tiredness

D

to dissipate

vsto drain

1 7.0

To use money or energy in a foolish, wasteful way

is neutral about waste and emphasizes gradual reduction or tiring

L

to leach energy

vsto drain

• UK

1 7.4

To slowly take away energy and interest from people

is the general gradual use up of energy, strength, or resources

Antonyms

R

to restore

122 3.8

Make someone feel healthy and full of energy again

E

to energize

• US

86 3.7

To make someone feel more active and alert

Idioms

D

to drain the swamp

• US

7 7.9

To remove corruption and waste from a government or company

M

money down the drain

• Informal

3 4.2

Money people waste when they make a bad choice

Phrasal Verbs

D

to drain resources

6 4.6

To use up the money or help someone needs

P

to pour down the drain

• Informal

1 6.0

Lose money, time, or effort by wasting it so it cannot be used

D

to drain the cup

1 6.9

To drink all the liquid in a cup

Compounds

S

storm drain

20 3.0

A pipe under the street that carries away rainwater

B

brain drain

8 4.2

The leaving of skilled or well educated people from a country to work abroad for better jobs

D

drain system

1 3.2

Pipes and channels that carry away extra water from an area

D

drain basket

1 2.8

A small basket in a sink that catches food scraps while water flows through

S

stormwater drain

• Specialized

1 2.7

A pipe or channel that carries rainwater away from streets and buildings

T

trap-and-drain auger

• Specialized

8.8

A tool with a long flexible wire that clears blockages in drains

How Tiring

to exhaust

21 3.2

to drain

108 3.4

to sap

20 5.6

to tire

38 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology