wash over — to affect someone suddenly and strongly (of feelings or sensations)
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to affect someone suddenly and strongly (of feelings or sensations)
Pronunciation (IPA): /wɑʃ ˈoʊvər/
Example Sentences
- A sense of panic washed over me when I realized I forgot my passport at the airport.
- The smell of fresh pizza washed over him like a tsunami of happiness.
- Guilt washed over her when she saw her dog's disappointed face after forgetting to feed him.
wash over
VERB[/wɑʃ ˈoʊvər/]
to affect someone suddenly and strongly (of feelings or sensations)
to affect someone suddenly and strongly (of feelings or sensations)
Waves rush over and push over, as memories wash over!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrase 'wash over' derives from Old English 'wæscan' (to wash, to flow) combined with the preposition 'over'. Originally describing the physical phenomenon of water flowing or flooding over something, the expression evolved metaphorically to denote the overwhelming surge of emotions or sensations.
Breakdown
wash (Old English 'wæscan': to cleanse, to flow) + over (preposition indicating movement above or across): literally 'to flow across', extended to mean 'to overwhelm with feeling or sensation'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“A sense of panic washed over me when I realized I forgot my passport at the airport.”
“The smell of fresh pizza washed over him like a tsunami of happiness.”
“Guilt washed over her when she saw her dog's disappointed face after forgetting to feed him.”
“A wave of gratitude washed over the graduates during the ceremony.”
📚Related Words
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