drown your sorrows
Meaning
To try to forget sadness or problems by drinking alcohol (or overindulging in something).
Origin
From the metaphor of ‘submerging’ feelings so they can’t be felt; attested in English from at least the 18th–19th centuries, commonly tied to drinking alcohol to numb grief.
Notes
Often implies alcohol and a negative, unhealthy coping strategy. Can be used more broadly for any overindulgence to escape bad feelings.
Examples
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After the breakup, he went to the bar to drown his sorrows.
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She tried to drown her sorrows with ice cream, but it didn’t really help.
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Instead of drowning your sorrows in alcohol, talk to someone you trust.
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They stayed up late watching old movies, trying to drown their sorrows after the loss.
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He was tempted to drown his sorrows, but he chose to go for a run instead.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase: usually ‘drown your sorrows’ (or ‘drown his/her sorrows’). Often followed by ‘in/with + alcohol’ (e.g., ‘in whiskey’) or ‘by + V-ing’ (e.g., ‘by drinking’).
Synonyms
- drink to forget
- drink away your sorrows
- drown your troubles
Antonyms
- face your problems
- deal with it
- stay sober