Language Research

swallow · verb

/ˈswɑl.oʊ/Full view

swallow (EAT)

B2 I or T to move your throat in order to make food or drink go down

Dictionary examples:

My throat is so sore that it really hurts when I swallow.

The snake swallowed the bird whole.

Learner example:

I swallowed my eggs and bread and checked my bag for the fourth and last time. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

swallow (ACCEPT)

C2 T to accept something unpleasant

Dictionary example:

They found the final decision hard to swallow.

Learner example:

Occasionally he would beat her, but she just swallowed it with a sense of helplessness. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

swallow your anger/disappointment/pride, etc.

C2 to not show your feelings and to not allow them to affect the way that you behave

Dictionary example:

I swallowed my pride and asked them for help.

Learner example:

She has had to put up with all the psychological harm that her husband has put her through and at the same time, she has had to keep on struggling for her children, never givin[g] in; holding back her tears, swallowing her pride just for the benefit of her daughters. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)