absorb oneself in
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To be so busy doing something that you don't notice anything else around you.
Literal meaning: To be soaked up into something, like a sponge absorbs water — your whole self is 'taken in' by the activity.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To concentrate so deeply on an activity that you are not aware of anything else around you.
"She absorbed herself in the novel and didn't hear the phone ring."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
To dedicate oneself fully to a subject or field of study.
"After retiring, he absorbed himself in the study of ancient languages."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Always used reflexively ('absorb oneself in', not 'absorb in'). The object is typically an activity, subject, or task. Common in literary and academic writing.
Commonly used with
work reading study task project music
Forms
Base
absorb oneself in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
absorbs oneself in
he/she/it
Past simple
absorbed oneself in
yesterday
Past participle
absorbed oneself in
have + pp
-ing form
absorbing oneself in
continuous
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Synonyms
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