—swallow /ˈswɒl.əʊ/ aep /ˈswɑː.loʊ/
noun [C] (BIRD)
► F0 a small bird with pointed wings and a tail with two points, which flies quickly and catches insects to eat as it fliesThesaurus+: ↑Other wild birds , ↑Birds which live by or on inland water , ↑Birds of preynoun [C] (THROAT)
► F0 an act of using the muscles of your throat, or the amount of something you move into your stomach from your mouth by using the muscles of your throat: » He gave a swallow, then began speaking.Thesaurus+: ↑Eating , ↑Biting, chewing and swallowingverb (TAKE AWAY) ↑Verb Endings for swallow
F0 [T] If something large swallows (up) another thing, it makes it disappear or stop existing separately by making it part of itself:
» An increasing amount of the countryside is being swallowed (up) by the town.» Many small businesses have been swallowed (up) by large companies.Thesaurus+: ↑Enclosing, surrounding and immersingF0 [T] to use or take away a large part of something valuable:
» Taxes have swallowed up nearly half of my pay increase.Thesaurus+: ↑Using and misusingverb (THROAT) ↑Verb Endings for swallow
B2 [I or T] to cause food, drink, pills, etc. to move from your mouth into your stomach by using the muscles of your throat:
» My throat is so sore that it really hurts when I swallow.» He put a grape into his mouth and swallowed it whole.Thesaurus+: ↑Eating , ↑Biting, chewing and swallowingF0 [I] to use the muscles of your throat, as if moving something from your mouth into your stomach, because you are nervous or frightened, or are about to say something:
» He swallowed hard and said, "Dad, I've got something to tell you."Thesaurus+: ↑Eating , ↑Biting, chewing and swallowing• • •
Extra Examples:» Jamie's always had trouble swallowing pills.» He swallowed his drink in one gulp.» You'll give yourself indigestion if you swallow your dinner so quickly.» Keep a lookout for small objects that a baby might swallow.» Because I'm a bad swimmer, I often go under and swallow a lot of water.verb [T] (NOT EXPRESS) ↑Verb Endings for swallow
► C2 to not express or show something: » She swallowed her disappointment, saying, "That's OK, it doesn't matter."Thesaurus+: ↑Controlling emotions , ↑Calm and relaxed , ↑Not showing or feeling emotionsverb [T] INFORMAL (ACCEPT) ↑Verb Endings for swallow
► C2 to accept something without question or without expressing disagreement: » Not surprisingly, this excuse was too much for them to swallow.» He swallowed her story whole.» She swallowed his sales pitch hook, line, and sinker (= believed it completely).Thesaurus+: ↑BelievingThesaurus+: ↑Accepting and agreeing reluctantly , ↑Accepting and agreeing , ↑Approving and approval