flood-tide
Definition
- Noun:
- Rising tide: "flood-tide" refers to the incoming or rising tide of the sea; the period when the water level is increasing as the tide flows toward the shore.
Usage Examples
- (They waited for the rising tide to carry their vessels.)
- (As the tide rises, the shoreline is submerged.)
- (They started their journey when the tide was rising.)
Advanced Usage
- Metaphorical use: "flood-tide" can be used figuratively to describe a powerful, overwhelming surge or increase of something abstract, such as emotions, opinions, or events.
- The flood-tide of public opinion forced the government to reconsider its policy. (A strong and growing wave of public sentiment.)
- He was swept away by the flood-tide of grief after the loss. (An overwhelming surge of sadness.)
Variants and Related Words
- Flood (n): an overflow of water onto normally dry land; also used figuratively for a large amount.
- The river caused a flood after heavy rain. (An overflow of water.)
- Tide (n): the regular rise and fall of the sea's level.
- The tide comes in and goes out twice a day. (The predictable movement of seawater.)
- Ebb-tide (n): the opposite of flood-tide; the receding or falling tide.
- They collected shells at ebb-tide when the water had retreated. (During the falling tide.)
Synonyms
- Rising tide: the period when the tide is coming in.
- Incoming tide: water moving towards the shore.
- Flow: the movement of water in a particular direction, especially the rising tide.
Related Idioms
- At flood-tide: at the highest point of a rising tide; also used figuratively to mean at the peak of success or activity.
- His career was at flood-tide when he won the award. (He was at the height of his professional success.)
- Turn of the tide: the point at which the tide changes from rising to falling, or vice versa; used figuratively for a change in circumstances.
- The turn of the tide brought relief to the stranded hikers. (The change in tide allowed them to escape.)