launder away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "launder away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to cleaning or removing something undesirable, often metaphorically, such as in discussions about financial practices. Example: "They tried to launder away their illicit gains through various shell companies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, if the president and vice president conspired to launder away the president's criminal liability, it would trigger a seismic political event.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"For, if I was the government stuck with a bunch of bitcoin I couldn't shift because everyone knew my coins were the Silk Road batch, I too might be inclined to "launder" the association away via a sealed auction that would make everyone assume that the coins were no longer on my book but actually still were," Kaminska said.

The Guardian - Tech

The topic of money-laundering will not go away.

The Economist

Let me repeat that: the Obama administration has been so eager to please Wall Street that it is letting bankers get away with laundering drug money.

Huffington Post

Once large enough, they could effectively get away with money laundering, tax evasion, bid-rigging, bribery, and accounting fraud.

The Economist

If there are none, buy or take oversized T-shirts to wear on top -- it will be cheaper to throw them away than have them laundered.

The New York Times - Travel

For the first time in six years I have folded our freshly laundered clothes and put them all away instead of piling them up like an impromptu Tracey Emin installation.

Independent

Rumors would percolate up from time to time that he was involved in a Ponzi scheme or money laundering, but they would always fade away.

Vice

The man he picked to lead Florida's Republican Party was subsequently imprisoned for money laundering; a campaign donor has been put away for 25 years for running a Ponzi scheme.

The Economist

But it has shied away from pursuing charges like money laundering, which carry longer maximum sentences but require more evidence.

The New York Times

His book opens with a Swat team smashing their way into his home and pinning him to the floor before dragging him away to face drug and money laundering charges.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "launder away" when describing attempts to conceal or legitimize illicit gains or actions, especially in contexts involving money or reputation.

Common error

Avoid using "launder away" in contexts that simply require the removal of something physical or emotional. It's most appropriate when there's an element of deception or transformation involved, not just simple removal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "launder away" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing an action taken to conceal or legitimize something, often with the implication of illicit activity. As Ludwig indicates, it suggests a transformative process, not just simple removal. The example provided by Ludwig suggests this is often in discussions about financial practices.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "launder away" is a verb phrase that describes the act of concealing or legitimizing something, often illicit gains or a tarnished reputation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it carries connotations of deception and transformation. While grammatically correct, it is a relatively rare expression, primarily found in news and media contexts. When using "launder away", it's important to consider its specific meaning and ensure it fits the context, avoiding its misuse in situations that simply require removal. Consider alternatives like "cover up" or "hide" if the nuance of transformation isn't necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wash away

Focuses on cleaning or removing something completely, differing from the financial connotation of "launder".

cleanse away

Emphasizes purification or removal of impurities, a broader concept than the specific act of laundering.

cover up

Implies concealing something, often a mistake or wrongdoing, without necessarily transforming it.

hide

A simple act of concealing something from view, less nuanced than "launder away".

disguise

Changes the appearance of something to conceal its true nature, similar to the transformative aspect of laundering.

obfuscate

Makes something unclear or difficult to understand, often used in the context of information or data.

sanitize

Focuses on making something acceptable or presentable, often through the removal of objectionable elements.

erase

Implies the complete removal of something, leaving no trace.

get rid of

A general term for discarding or eliminating something unwanted.

nullify

Renders something legally void or ineffective.

FAQs

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

You can use "launder away" to describe the act of concealing or legitimizing something, especially money or reputation. For example: "They tried to launder away their illicit gains through various shell companies."

What does "launder away" mean?

"Launder away" means to conceal or disguise the origin of something, often money or reputation, so that it appears legitimate.

What's the difference between "launder away" and "wash away"?

"Launder away" implies a deliberate attempt to conceal or legitimize something, typically illicit gains or a tarnished reputation, through complex means. "Wash away", on the other hand, suggests a more straightforward removal or cleansing, without the element of deception or manipulation inherent in "launder away".

Are there alternatives to "launder away" that don't specifically relate to financial contexts?

Yes, you could use phrases like "cover up" or "hide" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. However, these alternatives lack the specific connotation of transforming something illicit into something that appears legitimate.