The phrase often indicates a strong, sudden emotional response to a situation.

Emotional Impact

Can describe positive or negative emotions, focus on the context to understand which.

Positive or Negative

It's used metaphorically to describe feelings, not a physical action.

Describes something being literally covered or overwhelmed, as by a flood.

Emphasizes the complete coverage or influence something has on an area or group.

While it suggests a water-like action, it can describe any overwhelming flow.

Often used to express feelings or abstract concepts overwhelming a person.

Could create empathy by describing what someone else is feeling in a vivid way.

This can describe a short-lived, often intense, emotional experience.