drown in

drown in (something)

1. Literally, to die from asphyxiation while submerged in a liquid. No one is drowning in the ocean today—not on this lifeguard's watch!
2. To cause oneself, someone, or something die from asphyxiation while submerged in a liquid. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "drown" and "in." Virginia Woolf's writing career came to an end in 1941 when she drowned herself in the River Ouse.
3. To overwhelm someone with an abundance of something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "drown" and "in." I don't mean to drown you in paperwork, but I do need all of these documents filed today.
4. To be completely overwhelmed by the abundance of something. I need one of those interns to help me file today because I'm totally drowning in paperwork.
See also: drown
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

drown (someone or an animal) in something

to cause someone or an animal to die of asphyxiation in a liquid. He accidentally drowned the cat in the bathtub. She drowned herself in the lake.
See also: drown

drown someone in something

Fig. to inundate someone with something. (See also drown in something.) I will drown you in money and fine clothes. Mike drowned the nightclub singer in fancy jewels and furs.
See also: drown

drown in something

 
1. . Lit. to be asphyxiated in some liquid. Wouldn't you hate to drown in that nasty, smelly water? lam not choosy about what I don't want to drown in.
2. Fig. to experience an overabundance of something. We are just drowning in cabbage this year. Our garden is full of it. They were drowning in bills, not money to pay them with.
See also: drown
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • drown in (something)
  • submerge
  • submerge (someone or something) in (something)
  • submerge in
  • submerged
  • literally
  • breathe (new) life into (someone or something)
  • breathe life into
  • breathe life into something
  • submerge under
References in periodicals archive
Dr Ansari added that while drowning and near-drowning cases are normally associated with deep water and swimming in pools or the sea, global statistics indicate that children can drown in bathtubs, fish tanks, buckets, toilet bowls and at building sites.
HMC cautions against drowning & secondary drowning
Al Ansari says while drownings and near-drownings are normally associated with deep water and swimming in pools or the sea, global statistics indicate that children can drown in bathtubs, fish tanks, buckets, toilet bowls, and at building sites.
HMC Cautions About the Risk of Drowning and Secondary Drowning
Dr al-Ansari says while drownings and near-drownings are normally associated with deep water and swimming in pools or the sea, global statistics indicate that children can drown in bathtubs, fish tanks, buckets, toilet bowls and at building sites.
Child drowning a major cause of concern, cautions HMC
Mutlu also cautioned the public on a television program on Saturday, saying that the currents are dangerous for even experienced swimmers and warning that beachgoers can drown in water only five meters deep unless a lifeguard is present.
Drownings mar Eid al-Fitr vacation
"The majority of children who drown in swimming pools were last seen in the home, had been out of sight for less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning.
Water safety summer priority
Victims who drown in lakes will sink to the bottom in the area below the point of submergence; authorities usually will locate the body within a radius equal to the depth of the water.
Drowning investigations
The Centers for Disease Control reports that approximately 4,000 individuals drown in the United States each year.
Understimating the problem: drowning deaths are seriously in the U.S.--and everyone pays the price
If we all attained the American--or to be fair the European--standard of living the world would not only run out of resources but would drown in its own pollution and/or melt in its own exhaust heat.
One World Emerging? Convergence and Divergence in Industrial Societies