pack away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pack away" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the action of putting items into storage or a container, often after they have been used. Example: "After the party, we need to pack away all the decorations and supplies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I pack away their ceremonial robes.

The Guardian

We rinse our dive gear and pack away the equipment.

The New York Times

The day has come to pack away his things.

The Economist

It's time to pack away the Obama glow.

The New York Times

Thirty days later, the median decline was 13%." Don't Pack Away Your Gala Wear  |  J.

The New York Times

MoD chiefs can pack away their maps of Damascus, and the submarine commanders will turn around.

The Guardian

Pack away your wigs - and take it from one who, miserably, knows.

The Guardian

GIRLY SKIRTS -- "Ladies, pack away the miniskirts and micro tees," Vogue announced in its July issue.

The New York Times

Avid Outdoors (avidoutdoors.com) had a Coleman Pack Away Chair ($36) with backpacker straps for easy portability.

The New York Times - Tech

Get up, pack away my tent, load the bike, ride, stop, eat, sleep.

The Guardian - Travel

They need to pack away their Israeli prism when looking at us 84 million Egyptians.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to tidy up, use "pack away" to clearly indicate that items should be stored properly and out of sight.

Common error

Avoid using "pack away" to describe eating a large amount of food. While informally acceptable, it's less precise than alternatives like "devour" or "eat up".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pack away" is that of a phrasal verb. This means it functions as a verb that consists of a verb and a preposition or adverb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe the action of putting items into storage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pack away" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb that primarily signifies the act of storing items. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and frequent use across diverse sources, most notably in News & Media. While it can informally mean 'to eat a lot', it's best to reserve it for describing storage. For alternatives, consider "store away" or "put away" to add subtle nuances to your expression. Remember, clarity and context are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

store away

This alternative focuses on the act of putting something in a place for future use or safekeeping.

put away

This is a simple and direct alternative for placing items in their proper storage location.

stash away

This implies hiding something, often secretly or securely, for later retrieval.

tuck away

This suggests placing something in a snug or concealed spot.

clear away

This emphasizes the removal of items to create a tidy or uncluttered space.

remove from sight

This alternative is a more descriptive way of indicating the act of taking something out of view.

hide from view

This emphasizes concealing something so it cannot be seen.

put into storage

This alternative clearly specifies placing items into a designated storage area.

shelve

This implies discontinuing or postponing something, similar to putting it away for a later time.

cease using

This focuses on stopping the use of something and potentially storing it.

FAQs

How is "pack away" used in a sentence?

The phrasal verb "pack away" typically means to store something or put it in its place. For example, "It's time to "pack away" the winter clothes now that spring is here."

What can I say instead of "pack away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "store away", "put away", or "stash away".

Is it correct to use "pack away" to mean 'eat a lot'?

While informally "pack away" can mean to eat a large quantity of food, it's more common and clearer to use other phrases such as "devour" or "eat a lot".

What's the difference between "pack away" and "put away"?

"Put away" generally means to place something in its proper location. "Pack away" often implies putting something into storage, sometimes for an extended period or a specific season. The phrase "put away" is generally used when items are still being used and will be used again soon.