drain water; vent emotions; leak information
Meanings
3 senses · 7 examplesverb
to drain (water); to discharge
Used literally for the flow or drainage of accumulated water.
The engineers designed a new channel to drain the floodwater.
This city's drainage system can discharge rainwater promptly.
verb
to vent; to unburden; to release (pent-up emotions)
Used metaphorically for expressing strong, often negative, feelings that have been suppressed.
He needs to find a friend to vent his stress.
Writing has become an important way for her to release her emotions.
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Children find it easier to vent their anger in a safe environment.
verb
to leak; to disclose; to divulge (secrets)
literarySpecifically refers to the inappropriate disclosure of confidential or secret information. Marked as literary/archaic usage in the source.
This document is of great importance; no information from it may be leaked.
He was prosecuted for leaking company secrets.