- 1[transitive, intransitive] drain (something) to make something empty or dry by removing all the liquid from it; to become empty or dry in this way Drain and rinse the pasta. The marshes have been drained. You will need to drain the central heating system before you replace the radiator. The swimming pool drains very slowly. Leave the dishes to drain. Topic CollocationsCookingpreparing
- prepare a dish/a meal/a menu/dinner/the fish
- weigh out 4oz of sugar/the ingredients
- wash/rinse the lettuce/spinach
- chop/slice/dice the carrots/onions/potatoes
- peel the carrots/onion/potatoes/garlic/orange
- grate a carrot/the cheese/some nutmeg
- remove/discard the bones/seeds/skin/rind/peel
- blend/combine/mix (together) the flour and water/all the ingredients
- beat/whisk the cream/eggs/egg whites
- knead/shape/roll (out) the dough
- heat the oil in a frying pan
- preheat/heat the oven/the broiler
- bring to a boil
- stir constantly/gently with a wooden spoon
- reduce the heat
- simmer gently for 20 minutes/until reduced by half
- melt the butter/chocolate/cheese
- dissolve the sugar in water
- brown the meat for 8-10 minutes
- drain the pasta/the water from the pot/in a colander/in a strainer
- mash the potatoes/banana/avocado
- cook food/fish/meat/rice/pasta/a Mexican dish
- bake (a loaf of) bread/a cake/a pie/potatoes/muffins/cookies/fish
- boil cabbage/potatoes/an egg/a hot dog/water
- fry/deep-fry/stir-fry the chicken/vegetables
- broil meat/steak/chicken/sausages
- roast potatoes/peppers/meat/chicken/beef
- sauté garlic/mushrooms/onions/potatoes/vegetables
- steam rice/vegetables/spinach/asparagus/dumplings
- toast bread/nuts
- microwave food/popcorn/a frozen dinner/a TV dinner
- serve in a glass/on a bed of rice/with potatoes
- arrange the slices on a plate/in layers
- carve the meat/chicken/turkey
- dress/toss a salad
- dress with/drizzle with olive oil/vinaigrette
- top with a slice of lemon/a scoop of ice cream/whipped cream/syrup
- garnish with a sprig of parsley/fresh basil leaves/lemon wedges/a slice of lime/a twist of orange
- sprinkle with salt/sugar/herbs/parsley/freshly ground black pepper
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- 2[transitive, intransitive] to make liquid flow away from something; to flow away drain something (from/out of something) We had to drain the oil out of the engine. drain something away/off Drain off the excess fat from the meat. drain away/off She pulled out the plug and the water drained away. (figurative) My anger slowly drained away. drain into something The river drains into a lake. drain from/out of something All the color drained from his face when I told him the news drain of something His face was drained of color.
- 3[transitive] drain something to empty a cup or glass by drinking everything in it In one gulp, he drained the glass. She quickly drained the last of her drink.
- 4[transitive] to make someone or something weaker, poorer, etc. by using up their/its strength, money, etc. drain somebody/something My mother's hospital expenses were slowly draining my income. an exhausting and draining experience drain somebody/something of something I felt drained of energy.
drain
verbNAmE//dreɪn//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they drain he / she / it drains
past simple drained
-ing form draining
Check pronunciation: drain