A1 verb Neutral #2,615 most common

flush

/flʌʃ/

To clean a toilet by making water flow through it. It also means when your face becomes red because you are hot, shy, or angry.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Please remember to flush the toilet after you use it.

Please remember to use water to clean the toilet after use.

2

The maintenance staff will flush the pipes to ensure they are clean.

The workers will run water through the pipes to clean them.

3

I saw him flush when the teacher called his name.

I saw his face turn red when the teacher said his name.

Word Family

Noun
flush
Verb
flush
Adjective
flushed
Related
flushing
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'shhh' sound of water moving fast when you flush a toilet.

Quick Quiz

Did you ___ the toilet after you used it?

Correct!

The correct answer is: flush

Examples

1

Please remember to flush the toilet after you use it.

everyday

Please remember to use water to clean the toilet after use.

2

The maintenance staff will flush the pipes to ensure they are clean.

formal

The workers will run water through the pipes to clean them.

3

I saw him flush when the teacher called his name.

informal

I saw his face turn red when the teacher said his name.

4

The patient's skin may flush during the initial stage of the fever.

academic

The person's skin might turn red during the start of a fever.

5

We need to flush out the old data from the system before the update.

business

We must remove the old information from the computer before the update.

Word Family

Noun
flush
Verb
flush
Adjective
flushed
Related
flushing

Common Collocations

flush the toilet to clean the toilet with water
flush red to become red in the face
flush with water to use water to clean something out
flush with pride to feel very happy and proud
flush out to force something to come out

Common Phrases

flush with cash

having a lot of money suddenly

flush down the drain

to waste something completely

in the first flush of

at the very beginning of something exciting

Often Confused With

flush vs blush

Blush is only used for the face turning red; flush can mean cleaning with water or the face turning red.

flush vs flash

Flash is a quick light; flush is about water or color in the skin.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'flush' when talking about toilets or when someone's whole face turns red from heat or emotion. It is a regular verb.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes say 'wash the toilet' when they mean 'flush the toilet'. Also, don't confuse the spelling with 'brush'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'shhh' sound of water moving fast when you flush a toilet.

📖

Word Origin

From Middle English, likely an imitation of the sound of splashing water.

Grammar Patterns

Regular verb: flush, flushes, flushed, flushing Transitive: flush something (like a toilet) Intransitive: to flush (the face turns red)
🌍

Cultural Context

In many cultures, 'flushing' the toilet is a basic part of bathroom etiquette.

Quick Quiz

Did you ___ the toilet after you used it?

Correct!

The correct answer is: flush

Related Words

toxin

B2

A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms, such as bacteria, plants, or animals. It is capable of causing disease or health issues when it enters body tissues through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption.

pesticide

B2

A chemical substance used to kill or control pests that are harmful to crops, livestock, or humans. It is an umbrella term that includes insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides used widely in agriculture and gardening.

fertilizer

B2

A chemical or natural substance added to soil or land to increase its fertility and provide essential nutrients for plant growth. It is primarily used in gardening and agriculture to help crops develop faster and produce higher yields.

irrigation

B2

To supply land or crops with water through man-made systems such as pipes, ditches, or sprinklers. It is an essential agricultural process used to assist in the growth of plants, especially in areas with low rainfall.

flood

B2

Describing something relating to a large amount of water covering an area that is usually dry, or metaphorically, being overwhelmed by an excessive quantity of something. In common usage, the form 'flooded' is typically used as the adjective to describe this state.

erosion

B2

Erosion is the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away by natural forces such as water, wind, or ice. In a figurative sense, it refers to the gradual destruction or reduction of something abstract, such as power, rights, or confidence.

desertification

B2

The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture. It represents a significant environmental challenge where land loses its biological productivity and ability to support human life.

afforestation

B2

Afforestation is the process of establishing a forest on land that has not recently been covered by trees. It involves planting seeds or saplings to create new wooded areas, often to improve the environment or for commercial timber.

endangered

B2

To put someone or something at risk or in a situation where they could be harmed, damaged, or destroyed. In environmental contexts, it specifically refers to species that are at high risk of becoming extinct in the near future.

extinction

B2

Extinction is the state or process of a species, family, or larger group being or becoming extinct, meaning it no longer has any living members. It can also refer to the act of making something, such as a fire, a feeling, or a practice, cease to exist.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free