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."
inseparable
drain away
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To flow away gradually until gone, or for a feeling or quality to slowly disappear.
In plain English
When something (like water or a feeling) slowly goes away until there's nothing left.
What does "drain away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For liquid to flow away in a specific direction until it is gone.
Actually means
When something (like water or a feeling) slowly goes away until there's nothing left.
Usage tip
Common in both physical and figurative contexts. When used figuratively — e.g., 'confidence drained away' — it vividly suggests a slow but complete loss.
Words that pair with "drain away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
water blood energy confidence hope tension
How to conjugate "drain away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "drain away" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "drain away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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