wallow

Everyday

1. To roll about in mud or water, as pigs, hippos and buffalo do to cool down. tree →
2. To let yourself stay sad or upset for a long time and enjoy feeling sorry for yourself. tree →
3. To enjoy something a lot, like wallowing in a hot bath. tree →
4. A muddy place where animals roll about. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, animals wallow in mud to keep cool and keep insects off. In stories and everyday life, «wallowing in self-pity» means staying miserable instead of trying to feel better. Phrases: wallow in mud, wallow in self-pity.

Examples

• The pigs wallowed happily in the mud. tree →
• Hippos wallow in rivers on hot days. tree →
• Stop wallowing and come and play. tree →
• She wallowed in a warm bubble bath. tree →
• He wallowed in self-pity after losing the match. tree →
• The buffalo found a muddy wallow. tree →
• The buffaloes generally keep to the pools and muddy places, where they lie wallowing or basking in the warm mud for hours. tree →

Note

Often followed by «in». Do not confuse with «swallow» (to take food down your throat) or «hollow» (empty inside).

In Jewish tradition

It means to roll about, in blood, ashes or vomit. It is a picture of disgrace or deep sorrow.

Interpretation. Rolling in ashes was a custom of mourning, and the tradition reads it as grief and shame.

Examples

• And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the midst of the highway. (Prophets 2SA.20.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, He hath made me to wallow in ashes. (Writings LAM.3.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Make ye him drunken, for he magnified himself against the LORD; and Moab shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision. (Prophets JER.48.26, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Often followed by «in». Do not confuse with «swallow» (to take food down your throat) or «hollow» (empty inside).