flood

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be in floods (of tears)

To be crying often or excessively. Ever since her father died, Beth has been in floods of tears.

See also: flood

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.

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.

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.

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.

2. Of speech, fluently, quickly, and at great length. Primarily heard in UK. After a couple of drinks during dinner, my uncle was in full flood about his position on immigration.

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.

2. Of speech, fluently, quickly, and at great length. Primarily heard in UK. After a couple of drinks during dinner, my uncle was in full flow about his position on immigration.

flood out

1. To move very quickly out of some place or thing. Despite the connotation of the word "flood," this usage is not limited to water. When our washer broke, water flooded out of the laundry room. Employees flooded out of the building at the sound of the fire alarm.

2. To cause someone or something to move from a place or thing due to a deluge of water. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "flood" and "out." The water main break flooded out all of the residents on that block.

flood in

(to something)

1. Lit. [for a fluid] to flow quickly into something in great volume. The water flooded in and soaked the carpets.

2. Fig. [for large amounts or numbers or people or things] to pour or rush into something. The people flooded into the hall. We opened the door, and the dogs and cats flooded in.

See also: flood

flood out

(of something)

1. Lit. [for water or something that flows] to rush out of something. The water flooded out of the break in the dam.

2. Fig. [for people] to rush out of something or some place. The people flooded out of the theater, totally disgusted with the performance.

flood someone or something out of something

and flood someone or something out

[for too much water] to force someone or something to leave something or some place. The high waters flooded them out of their home. The high waters flooded out a lot of people.

flood someone or something with something

to cover or inundate someone or something with something. We flooded them with praise and carried them on our shoulders. The rains flooded the fields with standing water.

See also: flood

in full flow

BRITISH or

in full flood

COMMON

1. If an activity, or the person who is performing the activity, is in full flow or in full flood, the activity has started and is being done with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. When she's in full flow, she often works right through the night. To hear the drum and bass of the Barrett brothers in full flow is a real treat for long-time fans. A campaign of public accusation is now in full flood. Note: You can also say that someone or something is in full spate. With family life in full spate, there were nevertheless some times of quiet domesticity.

2. If someone is in full flow or in full flood, they are talking quickly and for a long time. A male voice was in full flow in the lounge. Vicki was in full flood on the subject of her last boyfriend, a fellow lawyer she'd met at a charity ball.

be in full flood

1 (of a river) be swollen and overflowing its banks. 2 have gained momentum; be at the height of activity.

2 1991 Journal of Theological Studies There is too much detail for comfort…which is somewhat confusing when exposition is in full flood.

in full flow

1 talking fluently and easily and showing no sign of stopping. 2 performing vigorously and enthusiastically.

ˌflood the ˈmarket

offer for sale large quantities of a product, often at a low price: Importers flooded the market with cheap toys just before Christmas.

be in ˈfloods (of ˈtears)

(informal) be crying a lot: She was in floods of tears after a row with her family.

See also: flood

flood out

To force something out or away from some place due to a current or influx of water: The torrential rains flooded out most of the coastal residents. High tides regularly flood the smaller animals and insects out of spaces between the rocks. We were flooded out by the broken water line.