lap away

USAGE SUMMARY

'lap away' is not grammatically correct or usable in written English.
If you are looking to use a phrase that means to move something away, you could say "push away" or "toss away." For example: She tossed the frying pan away before it could cause her any harm.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The German will not be so happy as he was dominating the race for the first 15 laps, pulling a second a lap away from Fernando Alonso, who had jumped Webber at the start, until the deployment of the safety car for debris on the track altered the course of his afternoon.

The Guardian - Sport

Qualifying is always slower than a final because, although the teams are always fresher, with only one team on the track they are riding through relatively undisturbed air, whereas when a second quartet is riding half a lap away, the air is already moving, and easier to push through.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It seemed that all ambition had melted under the sun and been lapped away by the waves.

The New York Times - Travel

On the 15th, another delightful par three, this time over a lake, an elk the size of a pony lapped away disdainfully as my ball landed with a plop on the green beyond.

The Guardian - Travel

She was less drunk than the night before, and at one point, while Lucy was lapping away at her, she thought that, all things considered, it was good that it was happening with a girl first, because then when a guy went down on her, when it mattered, Kirsten would know what she was doing.

The New Yorker

As a fan though you really hoped to see the real Simoncelli back and battling again and, sure enough, in the next race at Silverstone when he found himself in third position, 12 laps away from his first MotoGP podium, he set off to charge down Andrea Dovizioso in second before crashing out two laps later.

BBC

It just looks like dry dogs' tongues lapping away over each other trying to find moisture.

Vice

He was sitting on their bed with a small portable machine on his lap, tapping away.

The Guardian - Music

"I went to the intermediates and got a good lap straight away.

BBC

In another version, images of these response boxes remained on the screen, but participants responded by pressing the left or right mouse button of a mouse held in their lap (Hands Away condition, Fig. 3).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

On his lap, facing away from him, is a boy, maybe seven years old.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "lap away" with more standard phrases like "move away", "pull away", or another contextually appropriate alternative to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "lap away" when you intend to describe something being removed or distanced. This phrase is not recognized as standard English and can confuse readers. Instead, use phrases like "move away", "pull away", or other similar expressions that accurately convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

"Lap away" does not have a defined grammatical function in standard English. It is mostly found within racing contexts or describing liquid movement. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It appears in some sentences, but these often involve literal 'lapping' motions or separation in distance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lap away" is considered grammatically incorrect and has infrequent usage, according to Ludwig AI. While it appears in some contexts, especially in News & Media, Wiki and Science, its non-standard nature makes it unsuitable for formal writing. When aiming for clarity and grammatical precision, it's best to replace "lap away" with more accepted alternatives like "move away" or "pull away". Therefore, it's essential to consider context and audience when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move away

Emphasizes physical displacement or distancing from a specific point.

pull away

Highlights a sudden increase in distance, often in a competitive setting.

draw away

Similar to 'pull away' but can also indicate a gradual separation.

edge away

Suggests a slow, cautious retreat or movement.

drift away

Implies a passive or unintentional separation over time.

wash away

Focuses on removal by water or other liquid.

carry away

Indicates a forceful removal or displacement.

sweep away

Similar to 'carry away' but often implies a broader or more destructive force.

whisk away

Suggests a quick and often secretive removal.

snatch away

Emphasizes a sudden and forceful taking.

FAQs

Is "lap away" grammatically correct?

No, "lap away" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase in English. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect.

What can I say instead of "lap away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "move away", "pull away", or other similar phrases to convey the intended meaning.

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

You can use "move away" in a sentence like, "The crowd began to move away from the stage after the announcement."

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

Pull away often implies a sudden or competitive increase in distance, while "move away" is a more general term for physical displacement.