swig
C1informal
Definition
Meaning
to drink something quickly or in large gulps, especially from a bottle.
To consume a beverage, typically alcoholic, hastily and heartily; also used as a noun to refer to such a drink or act of drinking.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily associated with the consumption of alcoholic drinks (e.g., beer, whiskey), but can be used humorously for non-alcoholic drinks. Often implies a lack of refinement or ceremony.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar; more common in UK English for non-alcoholic contexts (e.g., 'swig of water').
Connotations
Slightly more jovial and less pejorative in UK English. In US English, it can carry a stronger connotation of roughness or uncouthness.
Frequency
More frequent in British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] swigged [Direct Object: beverage][Subject] took a swig of [beverage][Subject] had a swigVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to swig and swear”
- “swig it straight from the jug”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in very informal business settings ('After closing the deal, we took a swig of champagne').
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Common in informal speech, especially among friends discussing drinks.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He swigged his pint in one go.
- I'll just swig this water before we head out.
American English
- He swigged the beer straight from the can.
- She swigged the last of her soda.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He took a big swig of lemonade.
- After the race, she had a swig from her water bottle.
- He offered me a swig of his craft beer, which was surprisingly good.
- Unperturbed by the formality of the occasion, he unabashedly swigged whisky from a hip flask.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SWIG sounds like SWING a bottle to your lips for a big drink.
Conceptual Metaphor
DRINKING IS CONSUMPTION OF LIQUID VOLUME (not taste or experience).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'swing' (качаться).
- Avoid translating as 'пить медленно' (to drink slowly) – it means the opposite.
- The noun 'swig' (глоток) implies a large, quick gulp, not a small sip (глоточек).
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing 'swig' (drink) with 'swing' (move back and forth).
- Using it for sipping hot tea.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate context for the verb 'swig'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for any drink consumed quickly, but it is most commonly associated with alcohol.
No, it is strictly informal and would be inappropriate in academic, business, or official documents.
They are very close synonyms. 'Swig' often, but not always, implies drinking from a bottle or container, while 'gulp' focuses on the large, quick swallow itself and can be used for food or air.
Yes, 'a swig' is the noun form, meaning an act of drinking a large amount quickly (e.g., 'He took a swig').