Sometimes, strong feelings are hard to explain. When people feel very sad, scared, or overwhelmed, they often use comparisons to help others understand. One powerful way to do this is by using metaphors. A metaphor compares something real to something we can picture in our minds. One common example is using drowning to describe how people feel inside.
Metaphors about drowning can show how someone feels trapped or unable to escape their emotions. It doesn’t mean they are actually underwater. It just helps describe how deep their feelings go. This article will explore 33 different ways people use drowning to describe emotions. These simple examples will help young readers understand what others might be feeling, and maybe even how they feel themselves.
Metaphors About Drowning
1. Drowning in Sadness
Meaning: Feeling overwhelmed by sadness
Example Sentence:
• After her dog passed away, she felt like she was drowning in sadness.
• He was drowning in sadness after his best friend moved away.
Other ways to say: Sinking in sorrow, lost in grief
Fun Fact/Origin: This metaphor compares deep sadness to sinking underwater, where it feels hard to breathe.
Usage: Used when someone feels very, very sad.
2. Drowning in Homework
Meaning: Having too much schoolwork to handle
Example Sentence:
• I can’t play today—I’m drowning in homework!
• She felt like she was drowning in homework before the test.
Other ways to say: Swamped with work, buried in assignments
Fun Fact/Origin: It shows that too much schoolwork feels like water piling up on you.
Usage: Used when students have lots of tasks and feel stressed.
3. Drowning in Guilt
Meaning: Feeling very bad about something
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in guilt after lying to his mom.
• She felt like she was drowning in guilt for breaking her friend’s toy.
Other ways to say: Full of regret, covered in shame
Fun Fact/Origin: Guilt can feel heavy—like you’re sinking without help.
Usage: Used when someone regrets their actions.
4. Drowning in Fear
Meaning: Feeling so scared that it’s hard to think
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in fear before the school play.
• He felt like he was drowning in fear during the thunderstorm.
Other ways to say: Shaking with fear, frozen with fright
Fun Fact/Origin: Fear can feel like deep water surrounding you.
Usage: Used when fear is very strong.
5. Drowning in Anger
Meaning: Feeling so angry that it takes over
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in anger after the game was canceled.
• She felt like she was drowning in anger when her brother broke her toy.
Other ways to say: Burning with anger, filled with rage
Fun Fact/Origin: Anger can feel wild, like being pulled underwater by a wave.
Usage: Used when someone can’t calm down.
6. Drowning in Tears
Meaning: Crying a lot from sadness or pain
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in tears after reading the sad story.
• He felt like he was drowning in tears when he missed his mom.
Other ways to say: Crying a river, covered in tears
Fun Fact/Origin: This compares crying to having so many tears it feels like water around you.
Usage: Used when someone is crying a lot.
7. Drowning in Thoughts
Meaning: Thinking too much about something
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in thoughts about the big test.
• She couldn’t sleep because she was drowning in thoughts.
Other ways to say: Lost in thought, deep in your mind
Fun Fact/Origin: When your brain is too full, it feels like you can’t keep up.
Usage: Used when someone is overthinking or worried.
8. Drowning in Worry
Meaning: Feeling too nervous or scared about problems
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in worry about her sick pet.
• He felt like he was drowning in worry before his first flight.
Other ways to say: Full of worry, buried in stress
Fun Fact/Origin: Worry feels like water rising around you.
Usage: Used when someone is feeling anxious.
9. Drowning in Loneliness
Meaning: Feeling very alone and left out
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in loneliness after moving to a new school.
• She felt like she was drowning in loneliness during the holiday.
Other ways to say: Feeling alone, surrounded by silence
Fun Fact/Origin: Loneliness can feel like being alone in a deep sea.
Usage: Used when someone misses being with others.
10. Drowning in Regret
Meaning: Feeling bad about something you did or didn’t do
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in regret after not saying sorry.
• He felt like he was drowning in regret for not studying.
Other ways to say: Full of remorse, heavy with regret
Fun Fact/Origin: Regret feels heavy, like trying to swim with a heavy backpack.
Usage: Used when someone wishes they could fix a mistake.
11. Drowning in Pressure
Meaning: Feeling like there’s too much to do or too many people expecting things
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in pressure before the spelling bee.
• She felt like she was drowning in pressure to get good grades.
Other ways to say: Under stress, feeling the heat
Fun Fact/Origin: Pressure can feel like deep water pushing you down.
Usage: Used when people expect too much from someone.
12. Drowning in Chores
Meaning: Having too many jobs to do at home
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in chores before the guests arrived.
• He felt like he was drowning in chores on Saturday morning.
Other ways to say: Swamped with chores, overloaded with tasks
Fun Fact/Origin: When you have too many tasks, it can feel like you’re sinking.
Usage: Used when someone has too much to do.
13. Drowning in Noise
Meaning: Being surrounded by too much sound
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in noise at the birthday party.
• She felt like she was drowning in noise during lunch at school.
Other ways to say: Overwhelmed by sound, surrounded by loudness
Fun Fact/Origin: Too much sound can feel like waves crashing in your ears.
Usage: Used when noise becomes too much to handle.
14. Drowning in Doubt
Meaning: Not sure of what to do or think
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in doubt about trying out for the team.
• He felt like he was drowning in doubt before speaking up.
Other ways to say: Full of questions, second-guessing
Fun Fact/Origin: Doubt makes decisions feel hard, like swimming in dark water.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t trust their own choices.
15. Drowning in Problems
Meaning: Dealing with too many troubles at once
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in problems at school and at home.
• She felt like she was drowning in problems all week.
Other ways to say: Full of trouble, buried in issues
Fun Fact/Origin: Many problems can feel like waves piling up.
Usage: Used when life feels too hard to manage.
16. Drowning in Stress
Meaning: Feeling very tense or anxious
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in stress before her piano recital.
• He felt like he was drowning in stress trying to finish his project.
Other ways to say: Overloaded with stress, tense all over
Fun Fact/Origin: Stress can make people feel like they can’t breathe easily.
Usage: Used when someone feels very worried or tense.
17. Drowning in Silence
Meaning: Feeling alone or awkward because it’s too quiet
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in silence after the fight.
• He felt like he was drowning in silence in the new classroom.
Other ways to say: Surrounded by stillness, trapped in quiet
Fun Fact/Origin: Silence can feel heavy, like deep water with no sound.
Usage: Used when someone feels lonely or uncomfortable.
18. Drowning in Pain
Meaning: Feeling very hurt, either in body or heart
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in pain after the fall.
• She felt like she was drowning in pain after her friend moved.
Other ways to say: Covered in hurt, full of ache
Fun Fact/Origin: Pain can feel like water that never goes away.
Usage: Used when hurt is strong and lasting.
19. Drowning in Fear of Failure
Meaning: Being scared to make mistakes
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in fear of failure before the spelling test.
• He felt like he was drowning in fear of failure on tryout day.
Other ways to say: Afraid to mess up, scared to lose
Fun Fact/Origin: The fear of not being good enough can feel like sinking.
Usage: Used when someone is very nervous about not doing well.
20. Drowning in Lies
Meaning: Caught in too many lies or secrets
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in lies after he kept making up stories.
• She felt like she was drowning in lies and couldn’t tell the truth.
Other ways to say: Trapped in secrets, buried in untruths
Fun Fact/Origin: One lie often leads to another, like falling deeper underwater.
Usage: Used when dishonesty becomes overwhelming.
21. Drowning in Confusion
Meaning: Not understanding what’s going on
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in confusion during the math lesson.
• He felt like he was drowning in confusion at the new school.
Other ways to say: Lost, puzzled
Fun Fact/Origin: Confusion can feel like trying to swim in the dark.
Usage: Used when someone feels very mixed up.
22. Drowning in Expectations
Meaning: Feeling like others want too much from you
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in expectations from her parents and teachers.
• He felt like he was drowning in expectations to win the race.
Other ways to say: Overloaded with hopes, under pressure
Fun Fact/Origin: Expectations can feel like too much weight to carry.
Usage: Used when people expect more than you can give.
23. Drowning in Anguish
Meaning: Feeling deep emotional pain
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in anguish after losing his pet.
• She felt like she was drowning in anguish during the hard time.
Other ways to say: Deeply hurt, full of sorrow
Fun Fact/Origin: Anguish is a very strong kind of sadness.
Usage: Used when someone is hurt deep inside.
24. Drowning in Regretful Memories
Meaning: Thinking too much about bad or sad memories
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in regretful memories of the fight.
• He felt like he was drowning in regretful memories from last year.
Other ways to say: Stuck in the past, lost in old thoughts
Fun Fact/Origin: Some memories can stick like heavy water.
Usage: Used when old thoughts make you feel sad.
25. Drowning in Bad News
Meaning: Hearing a lot of sad or upsetting things
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in bad news all week.
• She felt like she was drowning in bad news after watching the TV.
Other ways to say: Surrounded by sadness, filled with worry
Fun Fact/Origin: Bad news can feel never-ending, like a flood.
Usage: Used when everything feels sad around you.
26. Drowning in Self-Doubt
Meaning: Not believing in yourself
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in self-doubt before the big speech.
• He felt like he was drowning in self-doubt and couldn’t try out.
Other ways to say: Unsure of yourself, full of doubt
Fun Fact/Origin: Not trusting yourself can feel like you’re sinking.
Usage: Used when someone lacks confidence.
27. Drowning in Secrets
Meaning: Keeping too many things inside
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in secrets she couldn’t share.
• He felt like he was drowning in secrets he told no one.
Other ways to say: Full of secrets, holding things in
Fun Fact/Origin: Keeping secrets can feel like trying to hold your breath.
Usage: Used when hiding too much causes stress.
28. Drowning in Regret Over Words
Meaning: Feeling bad about what you said
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in regret over the words he used.
• She felt like she was drowning in regret over what she said to her friend.
Other ways to say: Wishing to take it back, sorry for saying it
Fun Fact/Origin: Words can hurt like waves crashing back.
Usage: Used when you feel sorry for saying the wrong thing.
29. Drowning in Fake Smiles
Meaning: Pretending to be happy when you’re not
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in fake smiles at the party.
• He felt like he was drowning in fake smiles during the holiday.
Other ways to say: Hiding feelings, smiling to hide pain
Fun Fact/Origin: Smiling doesn’t always mean someone is okay.
Usage: Used when someone hides their sadness.
30. Drowning in Jealousy
Meaning: Feeling very jealous of someone
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in jealousy when her friend got the award.
• He felt like he was drowning in jealousy over his brother’s new bike.
Other ways to say: Green with envy, full of jealousy
Fun Fact/Origin: Jealousy can feel like a wave you can’t stop.
Usage: Used when someone wants what another person has.
31. Drowning in Trouble
Meaning: In big trouble and not sure what to do
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in trouble after breaking the window.
• She felt like she was drowning in trouble for skipping class.
Other ways to say: In deep water, stuck in problems
Fun Fact/Origin: Trouble can feel like water pulling you under.
Usage: Used when someone is in a lot of trouble.
32. Drowning in Lies You Tell Yourself
Meaning: Believing things about yourself that aren’t true
Example Sentence:
• She was drowning in lies she told herself, like “I’m not good enough.”
• He felt like he was drowning in lies about how others saw him.
Other ways to say: Not being honest with yourself, false thoughts
Fun Fact/Origin: Sometimes the hardest lies are the ones we believe about ourselves.
Usage: Used when someone is too hard on themselves.
33. Drowning in Darkness
Meaning: Feeling like nothing will get better
Example Sentence:
• He was drowning in darkness after losing his grandma.
• She felt like she was drowning in darkness when she had no one to talk to.
Other ways to say: Covered in sadness, feeling hopeless
Fun Fact/Origin: Darkness is often used to describe emotional pain.
Usage: Used when someone feels lost or very sad.
Quiz: Metaphors About Drowning
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each metaphor. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the metaphors to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does “drowning in sadness” mean?
A) Swimming in a pool
B) Feeling very sad and overwhelmed
C) Laughing too much
2. If someone says they are “drowning in homework,” what do they mean?
A) They are swimming while doing homework
B) They forgot their homework
C) They have too much homework to finish
3. What does “drowning in guilt” mean?
A) Feeling proud of something
B) Feeling bad about something you did
C) Forgetting what happened
4. When someone is “drowning in fear,” how do they feel?
A) Very scared and unable to stay calm
B) Excited about a fun trip
C) Sleepy and bored
5. What does “drowning in pressure” mean?
A) Playing outside with friends
B) Feeling like too much is expected from you
C) Taking a break from school
6. If someone is “drowning in tears,” what are they doing?
A) Swimming in a pool
B) Crying a lot
C) Drinking lots of water
7. What does “drowning in stress” mean?
A) Feeling peaceful and relaxed
B) Laughing and having fun
C) Feeling tense and overwhelmed
8. If someone says they are “drowning in loneliness,” how do they feel?
A) Surrounded by friends
B) Very alone and left out
C) Happy to be alone
9. What does “drowning in secrets” mean?
A) Telling everyone everything
B) Keeping too many things hidden inside
C) Writing stories for fun
10. What does it mean to be “drowning in bad news”?
A) Reading lots of funny comics
B) Hearing many sad or upsetting things
C) Playing video games
11. What does “drowning in self-doubt” mean?
A) Feeling proud and confident
B) Not believing in yourself
C) Being unsure about others
12. If someone is “drowning in darkness,” what are they likely feeling?
A) Very hopeful
B) Full of energy
C) Very sad or hopeless
Answer Key
- B – Feeling very sad and overwhelmed
- C – They have too much homework to finish
- B – Feeling bad about something you did
- A – Very scared and unable to stay calm
- B – Feeling like too much is expected from you
- B – Crying a lot
- C – Feeling tense and overwhelmed
- B – Very alone and left out
- B – Keeping too many things hidden inside
- B – Hearing many sad or upsetting things
- B – Not believing in yourself
- C – Very sad or hopeless
Wrapping Up
Metaphors about drowning are powerful ways to explain strong feelings. They help us understand what others might be going through, like sadness, stress, or worry. Even if you haven’t felt exactly that way, these words help you picture how it might feel.
Using these kinds of phrases can also help you share your own feelings. Next time you feel overwhelmed, you might say, “I feel like I’m drowning in chores,” or “I’m drowning in worry.” It can help others know how to support you. Language like this makes hard feelings easier to talk about.
