English Profile

drain · verb

/dreɪn/Full view

drain (REMOVE LIQUID)

C2 T to remove the liquid from something, usually by pouring it away or allowing it to flow away

Dictionary examples:

Drain the pasta and add the sauce.

We drained the pond and filled it with fresh water.

Learner example:

Peter the Great ordered the swampy lands to be drained. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

drain (FLOW AWAY)

C2 I If something drains, liquid flows away or out of it.

Dictionary example:

Don't bother drying the pans - just leave them to drain.

Learner example:

The sink doesn't drain, which is a major problem for me. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Turkish)

drain (REDUCE)

C2 I or T to reduce or cause something to reduce

Dictionary example:

The long war had drained the resources of both countries.

Learner example:

These people drain government funds that can be used to deal with unemployment. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)

drain (MAKE TIRED)

C2 T to make someone very tired

Dictionary example:

The long journey drained him.

Learner example:

Especially when you've had a hard day at work, when the constant high temperature drains the energy from you, or when you're not feeling well because of any other reason, you need that comforting phone call from your best friend more than ever. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)

drain · noun C

/dreɪn/

drain

C2 a pipe or hole that takes away waste liquids or water

Dictionary example:

She poured the dirty water down the drain.

Learner example:

I wish to put forward some ideas, which I think can help: checking the area and surroundings, making sure there is no garbage lying around; cleaning the fallen leaves etc. from the drains. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Hindi)

a drain on sb/sth

C2 something that uses a lot of money or energy

Dictionary example:

Taking care of his sick mother was quite a drain on him.

Learner example:

This need results in an ever increasing drain on [the] country's resources. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

down the drain

C2 If money or work goes down the drain, it is wasted.

Dictionary example:

If you leave the school now, all your hard work will go down the drain.

Learner example:

All those evening conversations and the investment of 100,000 yen went down the drain, I thought. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)