gulp
B1Neutral to informal. Common in everyday spoken English and informal writing.
Definition
Meaning
To swallow something quickly or in large amounts, often audibly; a single act of swallowing.
Used figuratively to express an emotional reaction, such as suppressing fear or surprise, or accepting something unpleasant or difficult.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb often implies haste, effort, or the consumption of something large or unpleasant. As a noun, it refers to a single, large swallow or the sound associated with it. Figurative use focuses on the suppression of an emotion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical. The verb 'gulp down' is slightly more common in both varieties than the simple 'gulp'.
Connotations
No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SUBJ + gulp + OBJ (He gulped his drink).SUBJ + gulp + down + OBJ (She gulped down her breakfast).SUBJ + gulp + at + NOUN (He gulped at the sight).SUBJ + gulp + back + OBJ (She gulped back her anger).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gulp for air”
- “gulp back tears”
- “take a gulp and...”
- “a gulp and a gasp”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly figurative: 'The company had to gulp down the bitter pill of the new regulations.'
Academic
Very rare, except in descriptive biological/physiological contexts.
Everyday
Very common for describing eating/drinking quickly or showing nervousness.
Technical
Rare, might appear in medical texts describing swallowing disorders.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- With one final gulp, he finished the medicine.
- She answered after a noticeable gulp.
American English
- He took a big gulp of his soda.
- A gulp of cold air shocked her lungs.
verb
British English
- The rugby player gulped a pint of water after the match.
- She gulped nervously before starting her presentation.
American English
- He gulped down his coffee and ran out the door.
- I gulped when I saw the final bill.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child gulped his milk.
- He took a gulp of water.
- She gulped down her breakfast in five minutes.
- I could hear his gulp from across the room.
- He gulped back his anger and responded calmly.
- The news made her gulp in surprise.
- The industry will have to gulp down the new, stringent environmental costs.
- She gave an audible gulp of apprehension before opening the letter.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound 'gulp!' made by a cartoon character swallowing something huge. The word sounds like the action.
Conceptual Metaphor
SWALLOWING IS ACCEPTING (UNPLEASANT REALITIES); EMOTIONS ARE LIQUIDS (gulp back tears).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "gолп" (crowd). "Gulp" is about swallowing.
- The verb 'to gulp' is more specific and vivid than the general 'глотать' (to swallow). It implies speed and a large amount.
Common Mistakes
- *I gulped my food slowly. (Contradiction in terms: 'gulp' implies speed).
- Using 'gulp' for sipping hot tea. (Use 'sip').
- Confusing noun and verb forms: *'He did a gulp of water.' (Use 'He took a gulp of water.').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'gulp' CORRECTLY in a figurative sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most common with liquids, it can be used for food ('gulp down a sandwich') and figuratively for emotions ('gulp back fear').
'Swallow' is neutral. 'Gulp' is more specific, vivid, and implies doing it quickly, eagerly, or in large amounts, often with an audible sound.
It is generally considered too informal for most formal academic or business writing, where 'swallow quickly' or 'consume rapidly' might be preferred.
'Gulp down' is the most frequent verb phrase, emphasizing the completion of the action.