The phrasal verb "drift into" is more commonly found in informal than formal contexts, often being used to describe a process of gradual involvement or movement into a situation, habit, or state. It frequently appears in contexts involving changes in mood, state of mind, or lifestyle, such as "drifting into sleep" or "drifting into bad habits." While not often used in technical or academic writing, it can sometimes appear in more narrative forms of writing to convey a sense of a subtle, unplanned transition. The verb "drift" implies a lack of control or direction, so this phrasal verb conveys a passive or unconscious movement towards something. It is generally not used where deliberate or intentional actions are being described.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To gradually transition into a different state, situation, or mood without deliberate intention.
She drifted into sleep while listening to the soothing music.
He found himself drifting into a daydream during the lecture.
2. To become involved in an activity or situation without any active decision or effort.
After college, he drifted into teaching, although it wasn't his original plan.
They drifted into a heated discussion about politics without realizing how passionate they had become.