flocked away

USAGE SUMMARY

"flocked away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a group of people or animals moving away in a large and cohesive manner. Example: After the fireworks show ended, the spectators flocked away from the park, eager to avoid the crowds and get home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As the crowds dispersed and students flocked away from school, some catching rides home on each other's backs, Muhammadi, Stephen and other team members began hauling the robot away.

The New York Times

Web application developers have flocked away from commercial products to open source development tools like Ruby on Rails, which has been used to build Hulu, Airbnb, Shopify and Square.

Forbes

On the other hand, Democrats have paid little attention to the crucial group in this election — the independent moderates who supported President Obama in 2008 but flocked away during the health care summer of 2009 and now support the GOP by landslide proportions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

On our last day, sipping cold water under a straw umbrella as the sun turned the lagoon silver, we even saw the pale outline of flamingos flocking away in the distance.

The Guardian - Travel

Meanwhile, on the main stage, the brooding rage of festival staple Nine Inch Nails is perhaps further heightened by the sight of kids flocking away to watch bleep duo Disclosure.

The Guardian

"We noticed that teenagers, our core demographic, were flocking away from Facebook," said DoSomething's Colleen Wormsley.

TechCrunch

Teens are flocking away from Facebook because it only has one thing to offer, and that thing isn't all that interesting once your parents start using it, which is why Facebook bought Instagram and wishes it could buy SnapChat for four billion dollars, even though SnapChat is to human life what Grape Twizzlers are to your colon.

Huffington Post

Decade after decade, smart and educated people flock away from Merced, Calif., Yuma, Ariz., Flint, Mich., and Vineland, N.J.

The New York Times

They must finish the sermon and call their flocks away from hatred, away from fear and toward the beloved community of God.

The Washington Post

One bizarre suggestion was that shepherds be issued with GPS devices to ensure they kept flocks away from planned new highways.

The Guardian - Travel

Through the various stages that followed, I was transported by a wind as cunning as that which separates the adventurous bird from his flock, away from the Arabic language and into a new territory of sound and syntax, of words that at first crackled and broke in my mouth but are now what I use in my most intimate and public life, in my bedroom and the lecture hall and, most crucially, in my study.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flocked away" when you want to emphasize a large group moving together from one place to another, often implying a shared reason for leaving.

Common error

Avoid using "flocked away" to describe the movement of a single person or object. "Flocked" implies a collective action; for individual movement, use terms like "walked away" or "left".

Linguistic Context

"Flocked away" functions as a verb phrase describing collective movement or departure. It signifies that a group moved from one place to another. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, exemplified in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "flocked away" correctly describes a group moving together from one place. Ludwig AI validates its use, noting its prevalence in news and media and scientific contexts. While not extremely common, it effectively illustrates collective movement. Be mindful to use it when describing groups, not individuals, and consider alternatives like "streamed away" or "dispersed" for nuanced meanings. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles, as long as the context involves a collective departure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

streamed away

Implies a continuous flow, like water, and is less specific to groups.

flew away

Suggests movement through the air, appropriate for birds or objects.

came away

Indicates departure, often after an event or experience, focusing on the result of leaving.

dispersed

Highlights the act of scattering, losing the sense of a cohesive group.

retreated

Implies a withdrawal from a specific place or situation, often due to a threat or strategic decision.

scattered

Emphasizes the randomness and lack of order in the movement.

poured out

Suggests a large number of people exiting a place quickly.

marched off

Indicates a group moving in a structured manner, often implying purpose or discipline.

drifted off

Implies a slow, gradual departure, often without a clear destination.

slipped away

Suggests a discreet or unnoticed departure.

FAQs

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

You can use "flocked away" to describe a large group moving together. For example: "After the concert, the crowd "flocked away" from the stadium."

What are some alternatives to "flocked away"?

Alternatives include "streamed away", "dispersed", or "retreated", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "flocked away" formal or informal?

"Flocked away" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal writing, although it appears more frequently in news and media contexts.

What's the difference between "flocked away" and "scattered"?

"Flocked away" suggests a group moving together, while "scattered" implies the group breaks apart and moves in different directions.