swallow up

To use a large amount of money, time, or other resources.

• Rent swallows up most of my salary.
• The project swallowed up all our spare time.
• Unexpected bills have swallowed our savings up.

How to use it: swallow up something (Repairs swallowed up our savings.)

Similar words: use up, consume, eat up

Common phrases: swallow up savings, swallow something up

To cover or surround something completely so that it disappears from view.

• Fog swallowed up the hills.
• The waves swallowed the little boat up.
• The car was swallowed up by a hole in the road.

How to use it: be swallowed up by something (The village was swallowed up by the flood.)

Similar words: engulf, envelop

Common phrases: swallow up something, swallow someone up

To take control of a smaller group or business so that it becomes part of a larger one.

• Big companies swallow up small ones.
• The chain swallowed up three local shops.
• Our club was swallowed up by a larger organization.

How to use it: be swallowed up by something (The firm was swallowed up by a larger company.)

Similar words: absorb, take over

Common phrases: swallow up companies, swallow something up