be in floods (of tears)
To be crying often or excessively. Ever since her father died, Beth has been in floods of tears. A: "Why is she in floods of tears again?" B: "She's a toddler—who knows?" I was in floods because I felt so panicked and just could not calm myself down.
be in full flood
1. Literally, to be overflowing, as of a river or similar body of water. Thanks to all the rain we've had this spring, the river is in full flood. Keep the kids away from the creek if it's in full flood! I would never move to that part of town—people over there get water in their basements every time the river is in full flood.
2. To be well underway and continuing at a fast pace. If you're not coming home for Christmas, you need to tell Mom because her planning is already in full flood. After a slow start, the convention is now in full flood. Campaigns for both sides are now in full flood ahead of the May election.
flood (someone or something) with (something)
1. Literally, to shower or deluge someone or something with water. High tide flooded the sand with water. Ugh, after all the repairs we made, I can't believe that storm flooded our basement with rainwater! Those dummies overflowed the tub—that's how they managed to flood the bathroom with water.
2. By extension, to overwhelm someone with something. The familiar smells of my mother's cooking flooded me with memories of my childhood. Walking into the church for Max's funeral flooded me with sadness and grief. The boss's harsh words flooded me with shame about my mistake.
flood in(to something)
1. Of a liquid, to move quickly into something. I turned on the tap at full-blast, and water flooded into the bathtub. Ugh, after all the repairs we made, I can't believe rainwater flooded into our basement! A small water leak can flood into another area of the house if you're not careful.
2. By extension, to move quickly into some place or thing in large numbers. As soon as the bell rang, kids began flooding into the building. As soon as the store opened their doors, people flooded in so they could get some of the incredible deals. People will try to flood into the restaurant as soon as they find out we've got a celebrity in here!
3. To arrive in large quantities. We've had calls and text messages flooding in all morning about this issue. Complaints flooded into the office after a flaw was discovered in our product. If the system crashed last night, I bet tons of emails and calls have flooded into IT.
flood out
1. Of a gas or liquid, to move out (of something) very quickly and in great quantities. I pulled out the stopper in the drain, causing water to flood out. All the warm air in the car flooded out through the open window. When I tilted the pot, water flooded out into the sink.
2. Of people, to move out (of some place or thing) very quickly and in large numbers. As soon as the dismissal bell rang, kids began flooding out into the schoolyard. Employees flooded out of the building at the sound of the fire alarm. I bet the 11:30 Mass just ended—look at all the people flooding out of church.
3. To cause someone or something to leave or flee some place or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "flood" and "out." We must not have picked a great place to set up our tent, because the high tide flooded us out. The dam burst, flooding out several thousand people from their homes. This storm is supposed to be pretty bad—I bet it floods those people out of their beachfront homes.
flood out of (something)
1. Of a gas or liquid, to move out of something very quickly and in great quantities. I pulled out the stopper, causing water to flood out of the bathtub. All the warm air in the car flooded out through the open window. When I tilted it, water flooded out of the pot and into the sink.
2. Of people, to move quickly out of some place or thing in large numbers. As soon as the dismissal bell rang, kids began flooding out of the school building. Employees flooded out of the building at the sound of the fire alarm. I bet the 11:30 Mass just ended—look at all the people flooding out of church.
3. To cause someone or something to leave or flee some thing or place due to rising water levels. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "flood" and "out." We must not have picked a great place on the beach to camp, because high tide flooded us out of our tent. I suspect that the rains have flooded many animals out of their burrows. When the dam burst, it flooded several thousand people out of their homes.
flood the market
To become available in large numbers, often for low prices. Don't get one of those cheap phones that seem to be flooding the market these days. Sure, that company can flood the market with cheap toys, but it won't matter if kids don't like them. Make sure you get an authentic purse and not one of the knockoffs that have been flooding the market.
flood the zone
1. In sports, to apply a large amount of pressure to a particular area of play. Their left safety is shaky, so let's try flooding the zone with the tight end and both wide receivers on the next play. We know she's going to flood the zone with high fastballs, so lay off 'em. It's a must-win game for them, so you know they'll flood the zone with shots right from the puck drop.
2. To put forth or provide a large quantity of something. We need to flood the zone as best we can to get this story heard. That means I want everyone posting about it on social media, blogging about it, anything to get it out into the public consciousness. His opponent flooded the zone with ads that proved devastating to his chances of reelection. We couldn't get anywhere near City Hall because protestors had flooded the zone.
in full flood
1. Happening or being undertaken at a fast pace or with a lot of vigor and enthusiasm. Primarily heard in UK. If you're not coming home for Christmas, you need to tell Mom because her planning is already in full flood. Campaigns for both sides are now in full flood ahead of the May election. I hoped to slip in late while the planning session was already in full flood.
2. Engaging in or characteristic of a manner of speaking that is fluent, quick, or lengthy. Primarily heard in UK. After a couple of drinks during dinner, my uncle was in full flood about his position on immigration. Oh boy, Mary and Tom are already in full flood about their religious differences. It's gonna be a long night! When it's your turn to present, I expect you to be in full flood about poem you've been assigned.
in full flow
1. Happening or being undertaken at a fast pace or with a lot of vigor and enthusiasm. Primarily heard in UK. If you're not coming home for Christmas, you need to tell Mom because her planning is already in full flow. Campaigns for both sides are now in full flow ahead of the May election. I hoped to slip in late while the planning session was already in full flow.
2. Engaging in or characteristic of a manner of speaking that is fluent, quick, or lengthy. Primarily heard in UK. After a couple of drinks during dinner, my uncle was in full flow about his position on immigration. Oh boy, Mary and Tom are already in full flow about their religious differences. It's gonna be a long night! When it's your turn to present, I expect you to be in full flow about poem you've been assigned.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.