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Prepositions after verbs

Flush with, out, or into?

The verb 'flush' often means to wash something away with liquid or to become red in the face.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with 'flush'?

Use 'flush out' for removing something with water or forcing someone from hiding. Use 'flush with' for filling or reddening. Use 'flush into' for movement to another place. 'Flush in' and 'flush by' are uncommon as fixed patterns.

They flushed out the pipes.
Her face flushed with embarrassment.
Rainwater flushed into the drain.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
flush out + object

Removing or forcing out

Use 'flush out' for washing something away or forcing someone to leave hiding.

Workers flushed out the blocked system.
Police flushed out the suspects.
2
flush with + emotion/liquid

Showing fullness or colour

Use 'with' for emotions, colour, or substances causing fullness.

His cheeks flushed with excitement.
3
flush into + place

Moving liquid into another place

Use 'into' for movement from one place to another.

Wastewater flushed into the river.
4
flush in + place

Entering quickly with liquid

'Flush in' is uncommon but possible when 'in' keeps its literal meaning.

Cold water flushed in through the opening.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
flush with
She flushed with anger.
Become red or full because of emotion or substance.
flush into
Water flushed into the tunnel.
Liquid moved into a place.
flush out
They flushed out the dirt.
Remove or force out.
flush in
Water flushed in through the crack.
Literal movement inward; not a common fixed pattern.
flush by
Water flushed by the rocks.
'By' acts as a place adjunct, not a standard complement.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using 'flush with' for removal

Use 'flush out' when something is removed.

✕ They flushed with the chemicals from the tank. ✓ They flushed out the chemicals from the tank.

Using 'into' without movement

'Into' needs movement from one place to another.

✕ Her face flushed into embarrassment. ✓ Her face flushed with embarrassment.

Treating 'by' as a fixed pattern

'By' usually only shows where something passes.

✕ Workers flushed by the waste. ✓ Workers flushed out the waste.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The mechanic flushed ___ the old fuel.
2. His face flushed ___ pride.
3. Rainwater flushed ___ the underground tunnel.

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Frequently asked questions

What does 'flush out' mean?

It usually means to remove something with liquid or force someone from hiding.

Can 'flush with' describe emotions?

Yes. People often say someone flushed with anger, embarrassment, or excitement.

Is 'flush by' a standard pattern?

No. In most cases, 'by' only describes movement past a place.

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