drip-feed
C1Formal, Business, Medical, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
To supply something (like information, money, or liquid) slowly and steadily in small amounts over time.
A method of control or management where resources are released gradually to maintain dependency, prolong an effect, or prevent overload. Also refers literally to a medical intravenous feed.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate strategy by a provider to control the recipient. Can have negative connotations of manipulation, or neutral/positive connotations of careful management.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term similarly. British English may use the hyphenated form 'drip-feed' slightly more consistently, while American English often accepts 'drip feed' as a verb without the hyphen. The concept is equally understood.
Connotations
Identical connotations of controlled, gradual release.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in business and media contexts. Slightly more common in UK financial journalism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] drip-feeds [Object] to [Recipient][Subject] drip-feeds [Recipient] with [Object][Object] is drip-fed (to [Recipient])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On a drip-feed (metaphorically)”
- “The drip-feed of news”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The central bank will drip-feed liquidity into the financial system to avoid panic.
Academic
The study examined how social media platforms drip-feed notifications to increase user engagement.
Everyday
I drip-feed my plants with a special nutrient solution.
Technical
The patient was drip-fed nutrients intravenously post-surgery.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government decided to drip-feed the bailout funds over six quarters.
- Marketing teams often drip-feed product teasers to build anticipation.
American English
- The studio will drip feed episodes of the series weekly.
- They drip-fed the market with small bond issues.
adverb
British English
- The information was released drip-feed.
- Capital was supplied drip-feed throughout the project.
American English
- They paid him drip feed, which was frustrating.
- Updates came drip-feed, never all at once.
adjective
British English
- They used a drip-feed approach to releasing the data.
- The charity operates on a drip-feed funding model.
American English
- The drip feed mechanism prevented system overload.
- It was a classic drip-feed strategy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The nurse will drip-feed the medicine through a tube.
- Water was drip-fed into the dry soil.
- The company drip-feeds new features to keep users interested.
- Aid was drip-fed to the region to ensure it was used properly.
- Central banks often drip-feed stimulus into the economy to gauge its effects.
- The prosecutor accused the witness of drip-feeding information to manipulate the jury.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a hospital IV drip: it doesn't pour the medicine in all at once; it FEEDS you with DRIPS slowly and steadily.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION/ RESOURCES ARE A LIQUID (that can be released drop by drop). CONTROL IS REGULATING FLOW.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'капать-кормить' (nonsense). The concept is 'постепенно снабжать/вливать' (supply/infuse gradually). Avoid using 'подкармливать' (to feed/fertilise subtly) as it misses the systematic control aspect.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for unintentional slow release (e.g., 'The leak drip-fed water' – better: 'trickled'). Forgetting the deliberate agent (e.g., 'The news just drip-fed' – needs 'was drip-fed').
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what is the most likely PURPOSE of a drip-feed strategy?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be neutral or positive. In medicine, drip-feeding is essential. In business, it can be a prudent risk-management strategy.
Yes, though less common. 'The news came in a constant drip-feed.' 'The patient is on a drip-feed.'
'Drip-feed' implies an active, controlling agent releasing small amounts deliberately. 'Trickle' can be unintentional or describe a natural, slow flow without an implied controller.
It is standard, especially for the noun and adjective forms. The verb form is increasingly seen as one word ('dripfeed') or two ('drip feed'), but 'drip-feed' remains the most recognised dictionary form.