- drain
- {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun1 pipe/hole that dirty water goes downADJECTIVE▪ blocked (esp. BrE), clogged (AmE)▪ stormVERB + DRAIN▪ block (esp. BrE), clog (AmE)▪ clear, unblock (BrE), unclog (AmE)▪ lay▪
They were busy laying the drains for the new houses.
DRAIN + NOUN▪ cleaner▪a bottle of drain cleaner
2 sth that uses up time/money/resourcesADJECTIVE▪ heavy, major, serious▪ emotional, energy▪ cash, financial▪ brain▪scientists joining the brain drain (= moving to a country where they can work in better conditions and earn more)
PREPOSITION▪ drain on▪{{Roman}}II.{{/Roman}}These losses have been a major drain on the company's resources.
verb1 make sth empty/dryADVERB▪ thoroughly, well▪Remove the artichokes, drain thoroughly and allow to cool.
▪well-drained soil
▪ poorly▪The soil is poorly drained.
▪ quickly, slowly▪ away, out▪The water quickly drained away down the sink.
▪The surgeon drains out any excess fluid.
PREPOSITION▪ out of▪The blood drains out of the body.
2 make sb/sth weaker, poorer, etc.ADVERB▪ completely, totally, utterly▪ emotionally, mentally, physically▪ away▪The country's coal reserves are being drained away.
PREPOSITION▪ of▪His voice was utterly drained of emotion.
▪ out of▪Her energy seemed to drain out of her.
PHRASES▪ be drained, feel drained▪Sue felt exhausted and emotionally drained.
Collocations dictionary. 2013.