to be swallowed up or engulfed (by something) — literally or figuratively being overtaken, as by waves or overwhelming force.
突然の高波に小舟が飲まれてしまった。
The small boat was swallowed by a sudden high wave.
混雑した会場の熱気に飲まれて、息がしにくくなった。
I was engulfed by the crowded venue's heat and found it hard to breathe.
異国の大都市に最初は飲まれてしまうことが多い。
At first it's common to feel overwhelmed when you arrive in a big foreign city.
to be overwhelmed or overawed (by emotion, atmosphere, or others); to be intimidated or lose one's composure (sometimes used for being impressed or daunted).
初めての舞台で彼女は観客の視線に飲まれて、うまく話せなかった。
On her first stage appearance she was overwhelmed by the audience's gaze and couldn't speak well.
著名な作家の前で若い作家が飲まれてしまう場面が見られた。
You could see the young writer being intimidated in front of the famous author.
彼はその場の雰囲気に飲まれて冷静さを失った。
He was swept up in the atmosphere and lost his composure.