nudge away

USAGE SUMMARY

'nudge away' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to gently pushing someone or something away in a particular direction. For example, "She nudge away the dog from the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The photograph in her locker serves as a constant nudge away from lethargy toward vigor.

The New York Times - Sports

Colours are bright, prints are daft and an inside joke is only a nudge away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even when he is enjoying the warmth of a successful and sunny afternoon, however, Johnston is rarely more than a nudge away from an argument.

The Guardian - Sport

Georgia has so far been one of the former Soviet republics they have been trying to nudge away from Russia and towards the West.Also nervously watching this sudden Russian love-in with the West are the Baltic countries.

The Economist

It has already been suggested Sunday's performance might even harm his future prospects, pigeon-holing him even more decisively as a man for the big match space-killer role and taking him another nudge away from establishing himself as a ball-playing centre-back.

The Guardian - Sport

Another nudge away from research came during the final year of her postdoc, when she took part in the British Association BA Mediaia fellowship scheme, which offers active research scientists the opportunity to work with journalists.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The colt was an unexpected twin who was nudged away by his mother.

The New Yorker

Nudging away from Paxman and nearer to Clarkson on the Jeremy-ometer.

The Guardian

Condi Rice drew close to W. — nudging away Dick Cheney — by working out with him and talking football.

The New York Times

Warner nudges away a single, and then Broad beats Rogers on the outside edge.

The Guardian - Sport

Less because of Figgins than because of George Mitchell, baseball has nudged away from a pure power-oriented game to one sprinkled with speed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nudge away" when you want to convey a gentle or subtle shift in position or direction. For example, "The new policy aims to nudge consumers away from sugary drinks."

Common error

While "nudge away" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more direct or forceful verbs if the situation demands a stronger tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "nudge away" functions primarily as a verb of movement, indicating a gentle shift or redirection. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is used to describe the action of subtly moving something or someone, either physically or figuratively. The examples provided demonstrate its use in contexts ranging from sports to politics.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "nudge away" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a gentle or subtle act of moving something or someone, either physically or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it's more common in news and media contexts, it's also applicable in scientific domains, conveying a sense of subtle influence rather than forceful action. Though acceptable, avoid overusing "nudge away" in very formal writing, instead relying on synonyms. While not the most frequently used phrase, it offers a nuanced way to describe subtle shifts in behavior or direction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gently push

Implies a soft, persuasive action to relocate someone or something.

move aside

Suggests a physical displacement to create space.

guide away

Conveys a sense of direction and gentle influence.

draw away

Implies a gradual movement to a different location or focus.

steer clear of

Focuses on avoiding something, often an undesirable situation.

redirect from

Highlights a changed course and original direction.

deflect from

Focuses on causing something to change direction.

persuade against

Highlights the act of convincing someone to avoid something.

influence against

Highlights indirect power of changing someones mind.

deter from

Emphasizes discouraging or preventing someone from a certain action.

FAQs

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

You can use "nudge away" to describe gently moving something or someone, or subtly influencing a decision. For example, "The coach tried to "guide away" the player from making rash decisions."

What are some alternatives to "nudge away"?

Alternatives include "move aside", "gently push", or "steer clear of depending on the context".

Is "nudge away" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "nudge away" can be considered informal. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "redirect" or "deter" for a more professional tone.

What does it mean to "nudge" someone "away" from something?

To "nudge" someone "away" from something implies a subtle and gentle effort to influence their choices or actions, encouraging them to move away from a particular behavior or decision without being forceful.