What Does “Sink sth into sth” Mean?
“Sink something into something” means to invest a lot of money, time, or effort into a project, business, or activity.
Introduction
The phrasal verb sink sth into sth is commonly used in English to describe putting a significant amount of resources—usually money or effort—into something. Whether it’s starting a new business, renovating a house, or learning a skill, when you “sink something into” a project, you are dedicating yourself deeply to it. Understanding the sink sth into sth meaning will help you talk about investments or serious commitments in everyday conversations and business contexts.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: sink something into something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To invest a lot of money, time, or effort into something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Sink sth into sth” is a separable phrasal verb.
- You can say: sink money into a project
- Or: sink a lot of effort into learning
The pattern usually follows: sink + something + into + something
How to Use Sink sth into sth?
Use “sink sth into sth” when you want to express investing resources such as money, time, or effort into something important. It is often used in business, finance, or personal projects. The phrase emphasizes the depth of commitment or investment.
For example, you can say: “They sank a lot of money into renovating their house.” This shows a large financial investment.
Examples
Many entrepreneurs sink their savings into new startups to help them grow.
- She sank all her savings into opening a café.
- We have sunk thousands of dollars into this advertising campaign.
- He sank hours of practice into mastering the piano.
- The company sank large amounts of capital into research and development.
- They sank a lot of effort into making the event successful.
These examples show how “sink sth into sth in a sentence” describes serious investment.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the order or use the wrong preposition.
- Incorrect: She sunk money on the project.
- Correct: She sank money into the project.
- Incorrect: They sink time for learning.
- Correct: They sink time into learning.
Remember, the correct preposition is always into after “sink sth.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “put money into,” “invest in,” and “throw money at.”
- Put money into is more neutral and formal.
- Invest in implies careful, planned commitment.
- Throw money at suggests spending money quickly, sometimes wastefully.
“Sink sth into sth” usually emphasizes a deep or heavy investment, often with a sense of commitment or risk.
Common Collocations
People often sink particular things into projects or activities. Here are common collocations:
- Money: to fund or finance something
- Time: to spend hours or days on an activity
- Effort: to work hard on something
- Resources: to provide materials or support
- Energy: to put physical or mental power into something
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of sink sth into sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a natural conversation showing how to use “sink sth into sth”:
Alice: I heard you started a new business. How’s it going?
Mark: It’s tough. I’ve sunk a lot of money into it, but I believe it will pay off soon.
Alice: That sounds like a big commitment!
Mark: It is, but I’m willing to sink time and effort to make it work.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- a) She sank all her savings on the new car.
- b) She sank all her savings into the new car.
- c) She sank all her savings at the new car.
Fill in the blank:
They decided to sink a lot of ______ into the renovation project.
- money
- time
- energy
FAQ
- Q: Can I use “sink sth into sth” for time as well as money?
A: Yes, you can sink time, effort, or money into something. - Q: Is “sink sth into sth” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: What is the difference between “sink into” and “sink sth into sth”?
A: “Sink into” alone usually means to physically go down or relax, while “sink sth into sth” means to invest resources. - Q: Can I say “sink money on something”?
A: No, the correct preposition is “into,” not “on.” - Q: Is “sink sth into sth” separable?
A: Yes, but usually the phrase stays together: sink + something + into + something.
