He was trying to 'drown his fears'. [=to get drunk so that he wouldn't be afraid]
I'm being 'drowned in' paperwork. [=I'm being overwhelmed by paperwork]
Noise from the passing airplane 'drowned out' our conversation.
(..) ...talking... ...not yelling. You'd do better to think of this place like an intensive care ward. I think of it as a bucket of piss to drown rats in. That's all. Anybody doesn't like it? Hmm? You can kiss my ass. Don't. Yeah, you try it. Go on. Try it. You'll be on the bread lines (..)1999 The Green Mile