English Phrasal Verbs With “Away”
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English vocabulary, often causing confusion for learners due to their idiomatic meanings. The particle “away” is commonly used in phrasal verbs, adding nuances of distance, removal, or continuation. Below is a comprehensive list of phrasal verbs with “away,” their meanings, examples, and exercises to test your understanding.
1. Give Away
Meaning: To distribute something for free; to reveal a secret unintentionally.
- She gave away all her old clothes to charity.
- His nervous smile gave away the fact that he was lying.
- The company gave away free samples at the event.
2. Throw Away
Meaning: To discard something; to waste an opportunity.
- Don’t throw away those papers—I might need them later.
- He threw away his chance to study abroad by missing the deadline.
- She threw away the broken vase.
3. Run Away
Meaning: To escape from a place or situation.
- The dog ran away from its owner.
- She wanted to run away from her problems.
- The thief ran away before the police arrived.
4. Fade Away
Meaning: To gradually disappear or become weaker.
- The sound of the music faded away as we walked further.
- His memories of childhood faded away over time.
- The colors of the old painting have faded away.
5. Take Away
Meaning: To remove something; to subtract.
- The waiter took away our empty plates.
- Five taken away from ten leaves five.
- The teacher took away his phone for using it in class.
6. Pass Away
Meaning: A polite way to say someone has died.
- Her grandfather passed away last year.
- Many famous artists have passed away too soon.
- He passed away peacefully in his sleep.
7. Break Away
Meaning: To separate from a group or tradition.
- The athlete broke away from the pack and won the race.
- She decided to break away from her family’s expectations.
- The rebel group broke away from the main organization.
8. Put Away
Meaning: To store something in its proper place; to save money.
- Please put away your toys after playing.
- He puts away a portion of his salary every month.
- She put away the groceries in the fridge.
9. Get Away
Meaning: To escape; to go on a vacation.
- The criminal got away before the police arrived.
- We need to get away for the weekend to relax.
- She managed to get away from her busy schedule.
10. Chip Away
Meaning: To gradually reduce or remove something.
- He chipped away at the rock until it broke.
- The lawyer chipped away at the witness’s testimony.
- Small daily efforts can chip away at big problems.
Exercises
Test your understanding of phrasal verbs with “away” by completing the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct phrasal verb from the list to complete the sentences.
- 1. She decided to _____ from her toxic relationship. (break away / give away)
- 2. The old man _____ last night. (passed away / threw away)
- 3. Please _____ your books after reading. (put away / take away)
Exercise 2: Match the Phrasal Verb with Its Meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Run away | To escape |
| Fade away | To gradually disappear |
| Get away | To go on vacation |
Exercise 3: Create Sentences
Write a sentence using each of the following phrasal verbs:
- 1. Give away
- 2. Throw away
- 3. Chip away