draw away

USAGE SUMMARY

"draw away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to indicate movement away from a particular location, or to describe the act of taking something away. For example, “She quickly drew away her hand after he tried to grab it.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He did not draw away.

The New York Times

Yet in the 25th mile, he began to draw away.

The New York Times - Sports

In this election he sought to draw away supporters from Mr Gruevski's party.

The Economist

After this, Geoffrey died, and Eusebius began to draw away from Berengar.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Third, it needs to draw away at least one of Mr Netanyahu's allies.

The Economist

It suggests that coaches really do heed the old maxim, "Win at home, draw away".

The New Yorker

To be sure, Europe could still draw away from the precipice.

The New York Times

Perry gives Matthews a true athletic standout who can draw away a few blockers.

The New York Times

So she'd provoke us with her eyes, and scornfully, also with her eyes, she'd draw away.

The New Yorker

With their tremendous kicks, Gebrselassie and Tergat believed they could draw away from Khannouchi.

The New York Times - Sports

He is, after all, being set up to draw away some of Letterman's viewers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "draw away" to describe diverting attention, ensure the object of the attention being diverted is clearly indicated.

Common error

Avoid using "draw away" when a simpler verb like "move" or "retreat" would be more appropriate. "Draw away" often implies a more deliberate or strategic distancing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw away" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It describes movement away from something or someone, either physically or metaphorically. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showcasing its use in contexts ranging from physical distancing to diverting attention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "draw away" is a versatile phrasal verb that indicates movement, distancing, or diversion. As noted by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While "draw away" is frequently employed to describe physical movement, it also effectively conveys the idea of diverting attention or strategically retreating. When using the phrase, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as alternatives like "move away" or "pull back" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move away

Indicates a simple physical movement to create distance.

pull back

Suggests a more forceful or deliberate withdrawal.

step back

Implies a deliberate action to create distance or disengage.

recede

Implies a gradual decrease or retreat.

retreat

Indicates a strategic or defensive withdrawal.

divert

Refers to redirecting attention or resources.

fall back

Often used in military or strategic contexts to indicate a planned retreat.

distract

Suggests drawing attention away from something specific.

lure away

Implies enticing someone or something to move elsewhere.

peel away

Describes a gradual or layered separation.

FAQs

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

You can use "draw away" to describe physical movement, as in, "She "moved away" from the edge". It can also describe diverting attention, such as "The bright colors "diverted attention" from the flaw".

What does "draw away" mean in a sporting context?

In sports, "draw away" often means to increase the distance between competitors, like "The runner began to "increase the distance" from the pack in the final lap".

Which is the correct way to use "draw away", and what are its forms?

The phrase "draw away" is a phrasal verb. Correct forms include "draws away", "drawing away", "drew away", and "drawn away", used according to tense. For example: "He "is drawing away" now".

What's the difference between "draw away" and "pull away"?

"Draw away" and "pull away" are similar, but "pull away" often implies a more sudden or forceful movement. You could say someone "pulled back" their hand quickly from a hot stove, while they might "move away slowly" from an awkward conversation.