go away

USAGE SUMMARY

"go away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a command or an exclamation to indicate that you want someone to leave. Example: "Go away! I don't want to see you here anymore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Go away".

The New York Times - Books

He doesn't go away.

The New Yorker

"Please go away now".

The New York Times

This doesn't go away.

Independent

It can't go away".

Independent

Go away now.

The New Yorker

"Rain, rain, go away".

The New York Times - Books

Now go away".

The New Yorker

Go (away) Nadine!

The New Yorker

It can go away.

The New York Times

"They never go away".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the command, add "please". For example, "Please go away" is more polite than simply "Go away".

Common error

Avoid using "go away" in formal writing or professional communication. Opt for more polite and professional alternatives like "please excuse us" or "we'll get back to you later."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go away" primarily functions as an imperative, directly commanding or requesting someone to leave or stop bothering the speaker. This is confirmed by Ludwig and the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

23%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go away" is a grammatically correct and very common imperative phrase used to tell someone to leave or stop bothering you. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as a direct command, often carrying a tone of annoyance. While frequently found in news and media, and even academia, its informal register means it should be used cautiously in professional or formal settings. Remember to consider your relationship with the person you are speaking to and to soften the command with "please" to be more polite. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and appropriate communication in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave me alone

Emphasizes the desire for solitude and to not be disturbed.

get lost

A more impolite and forceful way of telling someone to leave.

take a hike

An informal and dismissive way of telling someone to leave.

scram

A slang term for leaving quickly and immediately.

depart from here

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to say leave.

remove yourself

A more formal way of asking someone to leave.

cease to bother me

Focuses on the annoyance caused by someone's presence or actions.

be off with you

An archaic and somewhat theatrical way to tell someone to leave.

please excuse us

Politely requests someone to leave, often used in formal settings.

vanish

Suggests disappearing completely and immediately.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "go away"?

You can use alternatives such as "please excuse us" or "could you give us a moment" depending on the context.

What's a more forceful way to say "go away"?

If you want to be more direct, you could say "get lost" or "leave me alone", but be mindful that these can be perceived as rude.

Is it appropriate to use "go away" in business communication?

Generally, no. It's better to use professional phrases like "we'll get back to you later" or politely end the conversation without explicitly asking someone to leave.

What are some less direct ways to suggest someone "go away"?

You can try suggesting you need to focus by saying something like "I need to concentrate" or implying you are finished with the conversation.