in flood

phrase

of a river, lake, etc.
: close to overflowing its banks and flooding the land next to it
After a week of rain, the river is in (full) flood.

Note: The phrase in full flood is sometimes used figuratively to describe the time when something is most active, successful, etc.

a political movement that was in full flood in the 1980s

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Cite this Entry

“In flood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20flood. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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