immerse

immerse (oneself, someone, or something) in (something)

1. Literally, to fully submerge someone or something in a liquid. Is it safe to immerse this stuffed animal? I'd really like to wash it. If Susie's scared of the ocean, don't just immerse her in it! It was so hot out that I eagerly jumped in the lake and immersed myself in the cool water.

2. To fully devote one's attention to something. In this usage, the phrase can also be used reflexively. I'm going to France this summer to immerse myself in French culture. Paul's grades got much better once he immersed himself in his studies. You know how I got through the divorce? I immersed myself in my work.

3. To cause someone's attention to be fully absorbed in or by something. I think showing the kids a movie could help to immerse them in the language a little more. I can't seem to immerse my students in any of the books I've assigned for the semester. If we immerse the younger students in this year's play, they might want to join the theater program when they're old enough.

See also: immerse

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

immerse someone or something in something

 

1. Lit. to submerge someone or something beneath the surface of a liquid; to soak someone or something in a liquid. The preacher immersed the baptism candidate in the water. We immersed all the dirty plates in the soapy water and left them to soak. She immersed herself in the bathwater.

2. Fig. to saturate or steep someone or a group in information or some type of instruction. The trainers immersed us in details day after day. The teachers will immerse the entire class in nothing but the Spanish language, day after day.

See also: immerse

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

immerse in

v.

1. To submerge someone or something in some liquid: The cook immersed the dishes in hot water.

2. To involve someone completely in something: The teacher immersed the students in every aspect of mathematics. I immersed myself in the family business.

See also: immerse

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.