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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Origin: | Probably from Middle Dutch gulpen 'to swallow' |
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gulp1
1 also gulp down [transitive] to swallow large quantities of food or drink quickly [= bolt]: 
She gulped down her breakfast and ran for the bus.
She gulped down her breakfast and ran for the bus.2 [intransitive] to swallow suddenly because you are surprised or nervous : I gulped when I saw the bill.
I gulped when I saw the bill.3 also gulp in [transitive] to breathe in large amounts of air quickly : We rushed outside and gulped in the sweet fresh air.
We rushed outside and gulped in the sweet fresh air.4 to breathe in large amounts of air quickly because you do not have enough air in your body
be gulping for air
gulp something ↔ back
phrasal verbSandra tried to gulp back her tears.