drain away
B1 neutral inseparable both
In simple words
When something (like water or a feeling) slowly goes away until there's nothing left.
Literal meaning: For liquid to flow away in a specific direction until it is gone.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
For a liquid to flow steadily away from a place until none remains.
"After the storm, the floodwater slowly drained away from the streets."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
For a feeling, quality, or strength to gradually disappear until nothing is left.
"As the news sank in, all her enthusiasm drained away."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Common in both physical and figurative contexts. When used figuratively — e.g., 'confidence drained away' — it vividly suggests a slow but complete loss.
Commonly used with
water blood energy confidence hope tension
Forms
Base
drain away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
drains away
he/she/it
Past simple
drained away
yesterday
Past participle
drained away
have + pp
-ing form
draining away
continuous
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