sink

A stone sinks in water.  The sun gradually sank in the west.

An iceberg sank the Titanic.  British battleships sank the Bismarck.

Before installing the new surfacing material, sink any protruding nails.

to sink a well in the ground

My sister beats me at pool in public a second time. I claim some dignity back by potting two of my balls before Tammy sinks the black.

I tried, but I could not wake him. This caused me a great fear, and I looked around terrified. Then indeed, my heart sank within me. Beside the bed, as if he had stepped out of the mist, or rather as if the mist had turned into his figure, for it had entirely disappeared, stood a tall, thin man, all in black.

to sink one's reputation

Who would sink so low as to steal change from veterans?

If you are sent with ready money to buy anything at a shop, and happen at that time to be out of pocket, sink the money, and take up the goods on your master's account.

I say not always dishonorable qualifications, but a certain flexibility of disposition; a certain courtly willingness to sink obnoxious truths, and adapt ourselves to the prejudices of the minds of others […]

[…] just thought she was wrecked from all the Diamond White ciders she'd been sinking – I'd even bought her a couple of Blastaways, which in hindsight was a mistake.

for 13 of his 15 years in charge, Burrell sank more money into the farm than he received in revenues, and the estate was £1.5m overdrawn.

to sink the national debt

I think our country sinks beneath the yoke.

However, before the entire mass was detached, a copious oozing of blood took place, when the patient lost from a pint to a pint and a half; and which, doubtless, so lowered him that he never rallied, but sank in about an hour and a half after the operation was completed.

The Alps and Pyreneans sink before him: / Through wind and waves, and storms he works his way