wash over

verb

1. (of an emotion) to affect (a person) suddenly and profoundly
2. (of an event) to have little effect on (a person)

Example Sentences

“I was going through a lot of weird stuff with relationships last year and I think part of the story is to not be passive, is not to let things wash over you. I want to go and find love and I want to have babies.”

From BBC

In prison, despite years of healing from Terry’s abuse, waves of sadness still wash over April.

From Slate

In 2021, NBCUniversal launched its “Dateline 24/7” ad-supported streaming channel on Tubi, Pluto, Roku and other free sites where viewers can let the episodes wash over them one after the other.

From Los Angeles Times

“We make sure that because there’s six unique girls from around the world, and all six are totally different, that we don’t just wash over them with one gesture.”

From Los Angeles Times

From the time she arrived in Nashua, N.H., at age 20, the sense would wash over her on long drives to get to an Indian restaurant or while pushing her cart around the grocery store.

From Los Angeles Times