dart away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dart away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something moving quickly and suddenly in a particular direction, often to escape or avoid something. Example: "As soon as the door opened, the cat darted away into the bushes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

And, unlike the adults, they shouldn't be able to dart away as easily".

The New Yorker

There are puffy white sea urchins like little couch pillows and Hawksbill turtles that dart away.

The New York Times - Travel

I then released it, my first "wild" oscar, and watched it dart away.

The New York Times - Sports

The dune that was initially larger is now small enough to dart away.

The New York Times - Science

The backswimmer is often seen floating on the water surface with its legs extended, ready to dart away if disturbed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At age 9, Srey Pov was able to dart away from the brothel and outrun the guard.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Just as suddenly they darted away.

The New Yorker

Lizards and little animals darted away.

The New Yorker

Mitchell winged the Frisbee, and the dog darted away.

The New Yorker

First, there's a shadowy figure watching them, darting away.

The Guardian

And Cotto spent much of the night on his toes, coming close and then darting away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dart away" to vividly describe a sudden, quick movement, especially when emphasizing escape or avoidance. For instance, "The lizard darted away as I approached."

Common error

Avoid using "dart away" when a slower, more deliberate movement is intended. "Walk away" or "move away" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dart away" is a phrasal verb, acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes a swift, evasive action. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in describing both literal physical movements and metaphorical evasions, affirming its role in depicting sudden departures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "dart away" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a sudden and rapid movement, often to escape or avoid something. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for a variety of writing styles. While "dart away" is a vivid and descriptive phrase, it is important to choose the most appropriate synonym depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as "dash off" or "bolt away".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bolt away

Emphasizes a sudden and forceful escape, often driven by fear.

dash off

Implies a hurried departure, often without a specific destination.

flee quickly

Focuses on the act of escaping rapidly from a dangerous situation.

spring away

Emphasizes a sudden and energetic movement to escape.

scoot off

Suggests a quick and informal departure, often in a playful manner.

scamper off

Describes a quick and light-footed departure, often by a small animal or child.

hurry off

Indicates a hasty departure due to a sense of urgency.

retreat rapidly

Implies a strategic withdrawal from a position, avoiding conflict.

hasten away

Suggests a formal and swift departure, often to fulfill a duty.

fly away

Suggests movement through the air, implying speed and freedom from constraints.

FAQs

What does "dart away" mean?

"Dart away" means to move quickly and suddenly in a particular direction, often to escape or avoid something.

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

You can use "dart away" to describe a sudden, rapid movement, such as "The fish darted away when it saw the shadow".

What are some alternatives to "dart away"?

Some alternatives to "dart away" include "dash off", "bolt away", and "scoot off", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "dart away" and "run away"?

"Dart away" implies a quicker, more sudden movement than "run away", which can describe a more sustained act of fleeing.