blank away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blank away" is not a standard or widely recognized expression in written English.
It may be used informally to suggest erasing or removing something, but it lacks clarity and context for proper usage. Example: "I wish I could just blank away all the bad memories from last year."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dzeko has gone 10 games without a goal, and is one blank away from equalling the longest drought of his City career - 11 games from November 2011 to January 2012.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The face is an artificial, impassive blank, giving nothing away.

The Guardian - Arts

It is difficult to envisage any intellectual content let alone intellectual property embodied in the piece of blank paper peeled away, or in the piece of blank paper substituted for it.

Harvard University

Mike Petke had tried to preserve the win by bringing on Jonny Steele (ex-RSL) to shore up the midfield, but in the end he was relieved to leave with a point after Ryan Johnson (not part of the recent Real Salt Lake roster purge, though he did play for them in 2006) sent an acrobatic overhead kick just wide of the post, and had another point blank shot palmed away brilliantly by Luis Robles.

The Guardian - Sport

Cloutier was not tested until the third, when Sergei Zholtok and Andrew Brunette both had point-blank shots turned away.

The New York Times - Sports

The Sea Kings pulled away, blanking the Lobos, 26-0, at Bolsa Grande High.

Los Angeles Times

But it's hard to stomach the fact that its form means that four rooms per floor look out on a blank wall 3 metres away.

The Guardian - Arts

When the final buzzer sounded, 15 Knicks and an assortment of coaches and support staff trudged away, all blank stares and grim expressions.

The New York Times - Sports

"Am I to write a blank cheque and sign away the livelihoods and sustainability of 1.2 billion Indians, without even knowing what the EU roadmap contains?

The Guardian

"Am I to write a blank cheque and sign away the livelihoods and sustainability of 1.2 billion Indians, without even knowing what [the new agreement] contains?" asked the Indian environment minister, Jayanti Natarajan.

The Economist

"Am I to write a blank check and sign away the livelihoods and sustainability of 1.2 billion Indians, without even knowing what the E.U. 'road map' contains?" said India's environment minister, Jayanthi Natarajan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "blank away" with more precise verbs like "erase", "dismiss", or "ignore" to better convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "blank away" in formal contexts where precision is key. Opt for stronger verbs with clearer meanings to enhance professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blank away" functions as a phrasal verb, though its usage is non-standard. It's intended to convey the idea of removing or disregarding something, similar to erasing, as Ludwig suggests.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blank away" is a rarely used phrase that attempts to convey the idea of erasing or disregarding something. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage is non-standard, and clearer alternatives such as "erase", "dismiss", or "ignore" are generally preferred for better clarity. While some authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian have used it, its overall frequency is low, making it unsuitable for formal writing. For more precise communication, opt for stronger and more widely recognized verbs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erase completely

Focuses on the act of removing something entirely, similar to wiping something clean.

disregard fully

Highlights the act of ignoring something completely, suggesting a lack of consideration.

dismiss entirely

Emphasizes complete rejection or disregard, adding a sense of finality.

wipe clean

Suggests a fresh start by eliminating unwanted elements.

push aside

Implies sidelining or ignoring something, giving it less importance or attention.

nullify entirely

Implies making something invalid or without effect, adding a legal or formal tone.

block out

Implies preventing something from entering one's mind or awareness, focusing on a mental process.

obliterate thoroughly

Conveys a sense of complete destruction or removal, suggesting a more forceful action.

write off

Focuses on abandoning hope or expectation, particularly in financial or personal contexts.

gloss over

Means to treat or represent something in a way that minimizes its importance.

FAQs

How can I use "blank away" in a sentence?

While "blank away" isn't a standard expression, you might use it informally to suggest erasing or removing something. However, clearer alternatives like "wipe away" or "erase" are generally preferred.

What are some alternatives to "blank away"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "blank away" with phrases like "dismiss entirely", "erase completely", or "disregard fully" for greater clarity.

Which is more appropriate, "blank away" or "wipe away"?

"Wipe away" is generally more appropriate and widely recognized in standard English. "Blank away" is less common and might not be as easily understood.

What does "blank away" imply, and when should I avoid it?

"Blank away" suggests a desire to erase or ignore something, but it lacks precision. Avoid using it in formal writing where clarity is essential; instead, choose more descriptive verbs.