crack away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crack away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of breaking or chipping away at something, often in a physical context or metaphorically to indicate persistence in a task. Example: "As the ice began to melt, we could see the cracks forming, and we knew it was time to crack away at the surface to free the trapped fish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But as that started to crack away – as it inevitably does – I became more and more defensive".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Brackish water pools around the edge of the dome, where sections of concrete have started to crack away.

The Guardian

Crack Away Jack travelled well to challenge but failed like so many before him and eventually trailed in well beaten in second.

Independent

Katchit was among an original nine-strong Cheltenham field that also included Binocular, the current ante-post favourite for next March's renewal, Crack Away Jack, Celestial Halo, Harchibald and Chomba Womba.

Independent

While partisan division is the central characteristic of the modern Congress, women have begun to crack away at the gridlock by forming coalitions that have surprised leaders of both parties.

The New York Times

Nicholls was also on the mark at Wetherby with the enigmatic Tidal Bay, who sprinted up the final climb to the winning post to deny Crack Away Jack in the John Smith's Hurdle.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But the enforcement action did not make crack go away, crack made crack go away.

Forbes

When Johnson offers him a little width, though, he cracks away a cut for four.

The Guardian - Sport

The most difficult thing about it, is how to preserve it on the page after it dries, since it turns brown and chips and cracks away.

The New York Times

At Leptis Magna, when your mother and I were young, we came across statues of gods with their faces and feet cracked away by vandals.

The New Yorker

While the rest of us ordered food that did not require getting our hands dirty, Grandpa happily cracked away and meticulously worked every bit of meat from the shells.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crack away" to describe persistent effort, ensure the context implies focused and energetic action, as opposed to general diligence.

Common error

Avoid using "crack away" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or sophisticated verb might be appropriate. Consider alternatives like 'dismantle' or 'analyze rigorously'.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "crack away" functions primarily as a dynamic verb phrase, indicating an action in progress or a process of breaking or dismantling something. This usage is supported by Ludwig examples showing both physical and metaphorical applications of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crack away" is a phrasal verb indicating an action of breaking apart or persistent effort, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct, its usage is more common in news and media contexts and less so in formal academic writing. Related phrases include "chip away" and "work diligently". Remember to consider the context and desired level of formality when using "crack away" to ensure the most appropriate expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chip away

Focuses more on gradual removal or reduction, whereas "crack away" can imply a more forceful initial action.

break apart

Suggests separating something into pieces, similar to one aspect of "crack away".

hack away

Suggests rough or forceful cutting, comparable to physically 'cracking away'.

work diligently

Emphasizes the effort and persistence in working, a metaphorical sense of "crack away".

hammer away

Implies repeated and forceful attempts, akin to the energetic aspect of "crack away".

press on

Highlights continuing with effort despite difficulty, similar to the persistent sense of the phrase.

keep at it

Indicates persistence and continued effort, mirroring the 'keep working' aspect.

break off

Implies a separation or detachment, a physical aspect of 'cracking away'.

make progress

Highlights advancement toward a goal, sharing the aspect of effort with "crack away".

forge ahead

Implies moving forward with determination, similar to persisting in a task.

FAQs

What does "crack away" mean?

The phrase "crack away" generally means to break something apart, either physically or metaphorically, often implying persistent or energetic effort.

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

You can use "crack away" to describe physically breaking something (e.g., "The ice started to crack away from the shore") or metaphorically to mean working hard at something (e.g., "The developers are cracking away at the new software").

What can I say instead of "crack away"?

You can use alternatives like "chip away", "break apart", or "work diligently" depending on the context.

Is "cracking away" the same as "crack away"?

"Cracking away" is the continuous form of "crack away", implying an ongoing action, while "crack away" refers to the general action or an instance of breaking or working persistently.