1 B2 neutral
To pull a person or object beneath the surface of water or another substance by means of a strong current or suction force.
"The powerful undertow sucked the surfer under before the lifeguards could reach him."
separable
suck under
B2 neutral separable transitive
To pull something or someone beneath a surface (especially water) by means of suction or a powerful current.
In plain English
Be pulled under the surface of water by a strong force.
What does "suck under" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
(Figurative) To overwhelm someone with problems, debt, or difficulties to the point of collapse.
"Rising interest rates sucked many small businesses under during the recession."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To suck (draw by suction) something under a surface — the image of water or quicksand pulling something below.
Actually means
Be pulled under the surface of water by a strong force.
Usage tip
Most commonly used in contexts involving water: currents, whirlpools, and riptides. Can be used figuratively to describe being overwhelmed by problems or circumstances ('the debt sucked them under'). Passive constructions are common.
Words that pair with "suck under"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
current wave whirlpool riptide debt crisis
How to conjugate "suck under"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
suck under
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sucks under
he/she/it
Past simple
sucked under
yesterday
Past participle
sucked under
have + pp
-ing form
sucking under
continuous
Hear "suck under" in the wild
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