swallow
verb (used with object)
to take into the stomach by drawing through the throat and esophagus with a voluntary muscular action, as food, drink, or other substances.
were swallowing
-
past progressiveof swallow.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They were made in such huge volumes that eventually their manufacture had to be restricted because they were swallowing up valuable supplies of metals.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2021
By 7.30, it felt as if I were swallowing two pillows and a duvet, so I phoned my daughter, who lives next door.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 4, 2016
But when the hospital administrator found out — patients didn’t know what they were swallowing — he fired Mr. Falkow.
From New York Times ● Oct. 9, 2015
Perry seems straitjacketed by Chris' pidgin English, his mouth forming around his lines as though he were swallowing Swedish meatballs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2015
I knew, of course I knew, that the Captain was not a spy, but as I read, it felt as though I were swallowing an icicle.
From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson
