submarining: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal for the dating context; Technical/Formal for nautical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “submarining” mean?
The action or process of operating a submarine, or moving/lowering beneath a surface.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action or process of operating a submarine, or moving/lowering beneath a surface.
1. In dating or relationships: suddenly withdrawing emotionally or physically from a partner without explanation, then potentially reappearing. 2. In sports or mechanics: moving or emerging from beneath something in a submarine-like manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The dating-related term is equally understood in both varieties. The original nautical term is standard in both.
Connotations
The dating sense carries negative connotations of immaturity, poor communication, and emotional unavailability in both varieties.
Frequency
The dating slang is more frequent in US media and social discourse, but is established in UK usage as well.
Grammar
How to Use “submarining” in a Sentence
[Subject] is submarining [Object].[Subject] was hurt by the submarining.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “submarining” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After a great first date, he just submarined and hasn't replied to my texts for a fortnight.
- The vessel spent six months submarining in the North Atlantic.
American English
- I think he's submarining me—he texts every three months out of the blue.
- The new prototype is capable of submarining at unprecedented depths.
adverb
British English
- This is not used adverbially in standard English.
American English
- This is not used adverbially in standard English.
adjective
British English
- His submarining tactics left her feeling utterly confused.
- The submarining capabilities of the fleet were upgraded.
American English
- That submarining behavior is a major red flag in any relationship.
- We studied the submarining vessels of World War II.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could humorously describe a colleague who disappears from a project then re-emerges.
Academic
Used in naval history, engineering, or sociology papers analyzing modern relationship dynamics.
Everyday
Primarily in discussions about modern dating and interpersonal communication.
Technical
Standard in naval contexts referring to the operation or maneuvering of a submarine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “submarining”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “submarining”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “submarining”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'He did three submarinings') sounds unnatural. Prefer 'He submarined me several times.'
- Confusing it with 'ghosting' (which is permanent disappearance) – submarining implies a return.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Ghosting is disappearing from contact permanently. Submarining involves disappearing and then unexpectedly reappearing later, as if resurfacing.
It is a standard word in naval/military contexts. Its modern meaning regarding relationships is informal slang, though increasingly common.
Almost never in the dating sense, as it describes unreliable behavior. In technical contexts, it is neutral (e.g., 'The submarine is submarining.').
It is most frequently used as a gerund (noun) or the present participle/continuous form of the verb 'to submarine'.
The action or process of operating a submarine, or moving/lowering beneath a surface.
Submarining: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsʌb.məˈriː.nɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsʌb.məˈriː.nɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To pull a submarine (on someone).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a submarine diving under the water (disappearing) and then surfacing later (reappearing). A person who does this is 'submarining'.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELATIONSHIPS ARE NAVAL WARFARE / COMMUNICATION IS SURFACING.
Practice
Quiz
In modern informal usage, 'submarining' is most closely associated with which context?