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gulp down

A2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To drink or eat something very fast, swallowing big mouthfuls.

Literal meaning: To gulp something down the throat — largely transparent.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To swallow a drink or liquid rapidly and in large mouthfuls.

"He gulped down his coffee and ran out the door to catch the bus."

Grammar: separable
2 A2 neutral

To eat food quickly, swallowing large bites with little chewing.

"She gulped down her lunch in five minutes and went straight back to work."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral

(Figurative) To suppress or swallow an emotion or reaction with effort.

"He gulped down his anger and replied as calmly as he could."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Very natural and common in everyday speech. Applies to both food and drink, though more frequently used with liquids. Can also describe swallowing air or emotions (e.g. 'she gulped down her fear').

Commonly used with

water coffee medicine food air beer

Forms

Base
gulp down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gulps down
he/she/it
Past simple
gulped down
yesterday
Past participle
gulped down
have + pp
-ing form
gulping down
continuous

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Synonyms

swallow quickly drink down knock back bolt down down drain

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