claw away

USAGE SUMMARY

"claw away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually means to scratch or scrape away at something, as in "the cat clawed away at the scratching post".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Lloris then stretched to claw away Razvan Cocis's dangerous cross.

The Guardian - Sport

I put catnip on a flat, corrugated cardboard box, and the cats claw away.

The New York Times

It might just creep into Pyatov's top corner but the Ukraine keeper gets across to claw away.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're going to give it our all to claw away those 26 votes," said Dan Cantor, the party's executive director.

The New York Times

Joan Struss, 49, of Scotch Plains, N.J., used her fingers the claw away at the paint chips on top of the padded wall in right field.

The New York Times - Sports

Bob Taylor's 53rd-minute introduction invigorated the home team and their supporters, and Van der Sar had to be alert to claw away the striker's effort soon afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

A2 An army of workers claws away at the rubble.

The New York Times

The hills, suffering from their proximity to human habitation, have been clawed away by quarrying.

The New York Times - Travel

"We just kept clawing away and got them to miss some free throws.

The New York Times - Sports

Clawing away dirt from the larva's body, the boy received a smattering of congratulations.

The New York Times

"I lived here, clawing away at the wallboard over the windows, Mr. Burwell said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "claw away" when describing a forceful or desperate act of removing something, either literally (like scratching) or figuratively (like fighting to regain something).

Common error

Avoid using "claw away" in passive voice constructions where the agent performing the action is unclear or absent. "The opportunity was clawed away" is less effective than "The competitor clawed away the opportunity."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "claw away" is as a phrasal verb. It describes an action where something is forcibly removed or defended. Ludwig shows it often relates to goalkeepers saving shots or teams recovering ground.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "claw away" functions as a phrasal verb, frequently used to describe a forceful action of removing or defending something. It often implies a sense of effort and determination. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears very commonly, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, careful attention should be paid to context to avoid misusing it in passive constructions. Alternatives like ""scratch out"" or ""fight back"" can be considered depending on the nuance needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scratch out

Focuses on the act of scratching to remove something, emphasizing the surface-level action.

scrape off

Implies removing something attached to a surface by scraping.

fight back

Highlights the act of defending or struggling to regain something lost.

ward off

Suggests preventing something from approaching or affecting.

fend off

Similar to ward off, but can also imply protecting oneself from a physical attack.

eke out

Indicates managing to obtain something with difficulty, especially a living or income.

wrestle back

Suggests a forceful struggle to regain possession of something.

snatch away

Emphasizes a quick or sudden removal of something.

deflect

Implies turning something aside or preventing it from reaching its target.

parry

Specifically used to describe blocking or deflecting a blow or attack.

FAQs

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

You can use "claw away" to describe a physical action like, "The cat tried to "claw away" the dirt" or a metaphorical one, such as "The team managed to "claw away" a victory in the final minutes".

What does "claw away" mean in the context of sports?

In sports, "claw away" typically means to struggle and manage to reduce a deficit or win back lost ground. It suggests a determined effort to recover from a disadvantage.

Is "claw away" formal or informal?

"Claw away" is generally considered suitable for neutral contexts such as news reporting but may be less appropriate for highly formal or academic writing. Consider using more precise or technical language in those settings.

What are some alternatives to "claw away" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "scratch out", "scrape off", or "fight back". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.