swallow verb
1 food/drink, etc.
ADV. hastily, quickly | accidentally She accidentally swallowed a glass bead. | easily Liquid food may be more easily swallowed. | down She swallowed down her breakfast in a hurry.
PHRASES swallow sth whole Most snakes swallow their prey whole.
2 move your throat muscles
ADV. deeply, hard | convulsively, drily, nervously, painfully She swallowed convulsively, determined not to cry. | back He swallowed back the lump in his throat.
VERB + SWALLOW have to She had to swallow hard before she could speak.