absorb

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absorb (oneself) in (something)

To occupy or preoccupy oneself completely with activity or pursuit. Greg absorbed himself in video games every day after school. I wanted to impress Juliet, so I absorbed myself in music by her favorite band. Sorry, what did you say? I guess I had absorbed myself in my painting.

See also: absorb

absorb (someone or something) in(to) (something)

1. To integrate someone or something into a new environment or situation. At least the new company has been able to absorb all of the old employees into its corporate structure. Are they going to absorb our rental agreement into the new contract? Do you think our rent will go up? With this merger, they're going to absorb our company into theirs, but thankfully they're giving long-term employees a chance to retire.

2. To draw or pull a liquid into a porous item. The paper towel quickly absorbed the liquid into itself. It's a new sponge, so it's pretty stiff, but it will absorb soap and water into it no problem. The drops of food coloring were quickly absorbed in the fluffy cake.

See also: absorb

absorb (something) with (something)

To draw or pull a liquid into a porous item. I had to absorb the water from the overflowing toilet with large towels to keep it from leaking through the floor. After you cook the sausages, you can absorb the excess fat with a paper towel. The paramedic absorbed the blood with a second bandage.

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absorbed in thought

Fully and deeply engrossed in a thought or idea, often to such a degree as to be unaware of or insensitive to the outside world. It's no use trying to talk to Helen when she's absorbed in thought like that; it's as if we don't even exist! Sorry, what did you say? I was absorbed in thought there. A: "Hey, did you hear the phone ring?" B: "Oh wow, no, I didn't. I guess I've been absorbed in thought."

See also: absorb, thought

be absorbed by (something)

To have all of one's attention, interest, or identity completely dominated by or engrossed in something. I was so absorbed by the movie that I didn't even notice you coming in! He is so absorbed by his work that he doesn't have enough time for his family anymore.

See also: absorb, by

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

absorb oneself in someone or something

Fig. [for someone] to become very interested or preoccupied with something or someone else's interests. Tom would often absorb himself in his children's activities on weekends.

See also: absorb

absorb someone in(to) something

[of a person or a group of people] to include someone in all the activities of the group; to integrate someone into something. The club absorbed the new members into the organization.

See also: absorb

absorb something in(to) something

[of matter or substance] to draw something into itself. The sponge absorbed all the moisture into its fibers.

See also: absorb

absorb something with something

to soak up a fluid with something. Henry absorbed the spilled milk with a sponge.

See also: absorb

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