Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):

   • To cause (a liquid, granular substance, or flowing mass) to flow from a container in a steady stream: The primary action of transferring a substance by tipping its container.
   • To dispense or serve a drink by doing this: To fill a cup or glass by pouring.
   • To emit or send forth in a copious, continuous stream: To produce something in a voluminous, unrestrained flow.

2. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To flow in a continuous, heavy stream: Used for liquids or substances moving like a liquid.
   • To rain very heavily: Used to describe intense rainfall.
   • To come or go in a continuous, heavy stream: Used for people or things moving in large numbers.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Transitive):

  • She will pour the tea into the cups.
  • The company poured millions into research and development.
  • Pour the concrete mixture into the mold carefully.

• Verb (Intransitive):

  • Water began to pour from the broken pipe.
  • Take an umbrella; it's pouring outside.
  • Fans poured out of the stadium after the game.

Advanced Usage

• "to pour cold water on (something)": to discourage an idea or enthusiasm; to be unenthusiastic or critical about a plan.

  • He poured cold water on our proposal, pointing out all the potential flaws.

• "to pour one's heart out": to express one's feelings, especially troubles, very openly and emotionally.

  • She poured her heart out to her best friend about the breakup.

• "to pour oil on troubled waters": to try to calm a difficult or tense situation.

  • The mediator tried to pour oil on troubled waters during the heated negotiation.

Variants and Related Words

• Pourer (n): A person who pours, or a container (like a jug) designed for pouring.

  • The wine pourer at the event was very skilled.

• Pouring (adj/gerund): Describing something that falls or flows heavily.

  • We waited inside during the pouring rain.

Synonyms

• Decant (v): To pour (liquid, especially wine) from one container into another, typically to separate sediment.
• Stream (v): To flow or cause to flow in a continuous current.
• Gush (v): To flow out in a rapid and plentiful stream, often suddenly.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pour down: (intransitive) To rain very heavily.

  • It started to pour down just as we left the house.

• Pour in: (intransitive) To arrive or enter in large numbers or quantities.

  • Donations poured in from all over the country after the disaster.

• Pour out: 1. (transitive) To serve a drink by pouring. 2. (transitive/intransitive) To express emotions freely or to exit in a crowd.

  • He poured out a glass of water for the guest.
  • The crowd poured out of the building when the fire alarm sounded.

Related Idioms

• "It never rains but it pours": Misfortunes or difficult events tend to happen simultaneously or in quick succession.

  • First my car broke down, then I lost my wallet. It never rains but it pours.

• "Pour money/resources into (something)": To invest a very large amount of money or resources into something.

  • The government has poured money into the infrastructure project.

Verb

1. rain heavily
   • Put on your rain coat-- it's pouring outside!
2. supply in large amounts or quantities
   • We poured money into the education of our children
3. flow in a spurt
   • Water poured all over the floor
4. pour out
   • the sommelier decanted the wines
5. move in large numbers
   • people were pouring out of the theater
   • beggars pullulated in the plaza
6. cause to run
   • pour water over the floor