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

E

to exhaust

vsto drain

194 3.2

To make someone very tired

describes gradual reduction rather than total or immediate depletion

C

to consume

vsto drain

172 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 down

vsto drain

27 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 debilitate

vsto drain

20 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

W

to wear out

vsto drain

19 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

D

to deplete

vsto drain

13 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

10 2.1

To make a person very tired by using up their energy

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

D

to dissipate

vsto drain

3 7.0

To use money or energy in a foolish, wasteful way

is neutral about waste and emphasizes gradual reduction or tiring

E

to enfeeble

vsto drain

2 8.4

To make a person or thing very weak

is broader, including both using up resources and causing tiredness

B

to bleed dry

vsto drain

• Informal

1 7.3

Use up all a person's money or other resources

shares complete use but also includes gradual weakening or tiring

L

to leach energy

vsto drain

• UK

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

234 3.8

Make someone feel healthy and full of energy again

E

to energize

• US

65 3.7

To make someone feel more active and alert

Idioms

D

to drain the swamp

• US

6 7.9

To remove corruption and waste from a government or company

M

money down the drain

• Informal

2 4.2

Money people waste when they make a bad choice

Phrasal Verbs

D

to drain resources

2 4.6

To use up the money or help someone needs

D

to drain the cup

1 6.9

To drink all the liquid in a cup

P

to pour down the drain

• Informal

6.0

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

Compounds

S

storm drain

18 3.0

A pipe under the street that carries away rainwater

B

brain drain

5 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

2.8

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

T

trap-and-drain auger

• Specialized

8.8

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

S

stormwater drain

• Specialized

2.7

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

How Tiring

to exhaust

194 3.2

to drain

189 3.4

to sap

14 5.6

to tire

23 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology