flush away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flush away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe something that is washed away by a large volume of water, like a flood or a tide. For example, "The heavy rainfall caused the river to flood, and the small town was flushed away in the rising waters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They decided to flush away Quebec".

The New York Times

You cannot flush away your problems.

The New York Times

"It's ethnic bias, really -- flush away the Latinos," she said.

The New York Times

I have not cut back on anti-oxidant foods as they are crucial to prevent other maladies but my doctors have no issue with that as long as I flush away, flush away, flush away with WATER.

Harvard University

Flush away the softened residue with a strong stream from a hose.

The New York Times

Her full name, Diana Dominguez Weir, appeared on the lid, along with the words "FLUSH AWAY".

The New York Times

They then flush away the excess dye, shine light on the dyed cells and photograph the fluorescence.

University of California, Berkeley

I've written several times about cockroach ideas in economics — ideas that you try to flush away, but keep coming back.

The New York Times

So why continue to flush away a resource whose value, even under the dim light of a sewer gas lamp, should be blindingly obvious?

The New York Times

"We've been able to flush away our competition since we started using Star Toilet Paper," said Mr. Campbell, unable to avoid a quip.

The New York Times

It is only when large quantities of water flush away carbon dioxide or keep its partial pressure low that carbonate-silicate reactions take place and liberate carbon dioxide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flush away" to describe the removal of something, either physically with water or metaphorically, like getting rid of bad ideas. Make sure the context implies a sense of disposal or riddance.

Common error

While "flush away" is acceptable in many situations, be mindful of its informal tone. In highly formal or professional writing, consider more neutral or sophisticated alternatives like "eliminate" or "remove" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flush away" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of removing something, often with water or another liquid. Ludwig confirms its usability, with examples showing both literal and figurative uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

27%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "flush away" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of removing something, often with water, or metaphorically eliminating an unwanted element. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While it's common across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, it's important to consider the formality of your writing and whether a more precise term like "eliminate" or "remove" might be more appropriate. Remember to use it when you want to convey a sense of disposal or riddance, and be mindful of the overall tone of your piece.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wash away

Focuses on the act of cleansing or removing something with water.

rinse away

Implies a light washing to remove residue.

sweep away

Emphasizes the force and completeness of the removal.

eliminate

A more formal term for getting rid of something undesirable.

discard

Suggests throwing something away because it is no longer needed.

get rid of

A common, informal way to say to remove something.

expunge

To erase or remove completely something unwanted or unpleasant.

purge

Implies a thorough cleansing to remove impurities.

eradicate

Suggests destroying something completely, so it no longer exists.

remove

A general term for taking something away.

FAQs

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

You can use "flush away" to describe physically washing something down a drain or toilet, as in, "The plumber used a chemical solution to flush away the blockage". It can also be used metaphorically to describe getting rid of something, such as, "The company hoped to flush away its past mistakes with the new rebranding campaign".

What's a good alternative to "flush away"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "wash away", "eliminate", or "get rid of". The best choice depends on whether you're describing a physical action or a metaphorical removal.

Is it appropriate to use "flush away" in academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "flush away" might be perceived as informal in strict academic writing. Consider more formal alternatives like "remove" or "eliminate" to maintain a scholarly tone.

Can "flush away" be used in a business context?

Yes, but use it with caution. In business, it's usually better to use more professional terms. For instance, instead of saying "flush away debt", consider "eliminate debt" or "pay off debt".