/ səʊk; NAmE soʊk/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
soak (sth) (in sth) to put sth in liquid for a time so that it becomes completely wet; to become completely wet in this way :
[ vn ]
I usually soak the beans overnight.
If you soak the tablecloth before you wash it, the stains should come out.
[ v ]
Leave the apricots to soak for 20 minutes.
I'm going to go and soak in the bath.
2.
[ vn ] to make sb/sth completely wet
SYN drench :
A sudden shower of rain soaked the spectators.
3.
[ vn ] ( informal ) to obtain a lot of money from sb by making them pay very high taxes or prices :
He was accused of soaking his clients.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- soak into / through sth | soak in
- soak sth off / out
- soak sth up
■ noun (also soak·ing ) [ sing. ]
1.
an act of leaving sth in a liquid for a period of time; an act of making sb/sth wet :
Give the shirt a good soak before you wash it.
2.
( informal ) a period of time spent in a bath
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English socian become saturated with a liquid by immersion ; related to sūcan to suck .