gaze away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gaze away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of looking away from something or someone, often to avoid eye contact or to shift focus. Example: "During the intense conversation, she chose to gaze away, unable to meet his piercing eyes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Back home, in Hong Kong, the mountains are rarely more than a gaze away.

Princeton University

She turned her gaze away from the judge, and purposefully stared at Mr. Bout.

The New York Times

Recently he has begun to turn his gaze away from America.

The Guardian - Books

Who knows what they'll do once we turn our gaze away?

The New Yorker

It makes you as uncomfortable as hell, but you never turn your fascinated gaze away.

The Guardian

Earl Parish tried to take his gaze away from the upstairs window, and failed.

The New Yorker

It's one of the reasons why I have turned my gaze away from the Middle East.

The Guardian

Keith drags his gaze away from the LA skyline and looks me in the eye.

The Guardian - Travel

We can hardly tear our gaze away from our portals to the internet.

The Guardian - Tech

Already I'm better able to shift my gaze away from the past, to focus my attention on the present.

University of California, Berkeley

This reflects a centuries-long habit of using the classical languages to guide our gaze away from the grubby reality.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gaze away" when you want to emphasize the act of redirecting one's sight, often in a deliberate or conscious manner. It can be used to avoid eye contact, shift focus, or indicate a change in attention.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "gaze away" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using "look away" or "look aside" for a more natural tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gaze away" functions as a phrasal verb. Ludwig confirms that is correct and used to describe the act of shifting one's sight from a particular point or object. It is a verb phrase indicating a change in the direction of one's gaze.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gaze away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb that describes the action of redirecting one's sight. Ludwig confirms its validity. While versatile, it is more commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. For a more casual tone, consider alternatives such as "look away". Understanding the nuances of "gaze away" will enhance your writing and communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look away

This is the most direct synonym, implying a simple redirection of one's sight.

avert one's gaze

This suggests a deliberate turning away of the eyes, often due to discomfort or respect.

deflect one's eyes

Suggests an attempt to avoid direct eye contact or scrutiny.

turn one's eyes

Focuses on the action of physically moving the eyes.

shift one's focus

Indicates a change in mental attention as well as visual direction.

divert one's attention

Emphasizes the change in mental focus, potentially away from something unpleasant.

look aside

Suggests a quick glance to the side, avoiding direct confrontation.

turn one's head

Implies a larger physical movement to avoid seeing something.

direct one's sight elsewhere

Formal way to express the redirection of vision to another location.

lose sight of

Less literal, indicating a loss of attention or memory of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "gaze away" to describe the act of looking away from something or someone, often to avoid eye contact or shift focus. For example: "She turned her gaze away from the judge."

What's a simple way to say "gaze away"?

A simpler alternative to "gaze away" is "look away". It conveys the same meaning in a more straightforward manner.

When should I use "avert one's gaze" instead of "gaze away"?

Use "avert one's gaze" when you want to emphasize a deliberate or conscious effort to look away, often due to discomfort, respect, or sensitivity. "Gaze away" is more neutral, while "avert one's gaze" implies a stronger motivation.

Is it ever incorrect to use "gaze away"?

While grammatically correct, "gaze away" might sound overly formal in certain casual contexts. In such cases, simpler alternatives like "look away" might be more appropriate. The best choice depends on the desired tone and level of formality.