plucked away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plucked away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been removed or taken from a place, often with a sense of care or delicacy. Example: "The child watched as the butterfly was gently plucked away from the flower by the breeze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

A string band plucked away.

The New York Times

He rose to market editor there, and then was plucked away to be W magazine's fashion editor.

The New York Times

– but Chip Kelly's proven himself as a offensive mastermind, and they plucked away DeMarco Murray from division rivals Dallas.

The Guardian - Sport

When necessary, he first mentions those involving Pool or Eric Smith because they are two of Westhoff's prized special-teamers and can be plucked away without warning.

The New York Times - Sports

Since most nodes (molecules, species, computer servers) are sparsely connected, little depends on them: a large fraction can be plucked away and the network will endure.

The New York Times - Science

And then somehow we were nearly all plucked away, one by one, by the claims of daily life, the very thing that seemed unrecoverable on Sept. 11.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

"We just continue to pluck away.

The New York Times - Sports

He was plucking away at an upright bass fiddle.

The New York Times

Rival stations in New York have been trying to pluck away the Cablevision customers who ordinarily watch Fox's local newscasts.

The New York Times

But I no longer hear as much about Mike Bloomberg, or Laurene Jobs, or somebody plucking away the New York Times.

The New Yorker

Justin Townes Earle, gangly and deeply stoned, plucks away at his acoustic guitar and croons winsomely – weak beer after high-octane Webb Wilder.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plucked away" when you want to convey a sense of gentle or deliberate removal, often implying that something valuable or desirable was taken.

Common error

Avoid using "plucked away" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "removed" or "extracted" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plucked away" functions as a phrasal verb, combining the action of "plucking" with the direction of "away". This indicates a removal or extraction of something, often with a sense of deliberateness or gentleness. Examples on Ludwig show it describing taking control of something or the removal of someone from a team or organization.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Sports

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "plucked away" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a deliberate or gentle removal of someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, predominantly in news, sports, and general writing. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal settings, opting for more neutral alternatives like "removed". The phrase conveys a sense of selection and value in what is being taken, making it a useful addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snatched away

Focuses on the sudden and unexpected nature of the removal.

whisked away

Emphasizes the speed and abruptness of the removal.

taken away

A more general term for removing something, lacking the nuance of being specifically selected or delicately handled.

removed

A neutral term for taking something from a place.

spirited away

Implies a mysterious or magical removal, often to an unknown location.

extracted

Focuses on the effort required to remove something, often with precision.

ferried away

Suggests removal by a means of transport.

siphoned off

Suggests the gradual and often surreptitious removal of something, typically resources or funds.

rescued

Highlights the act of saving someone or something from a dangerous or unpleasant situation.

usurped

Implies wrongful or forceful removal, often involving power or authority.

FAQs

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

You can use "plucked away" to describe something being gently removed, such as "The musician "plucked away" at the guitar strings" or to describe something being taken, like "The best player was "plucked away" by a rival team".

What's a synonym for "plucked away"?

Alternatives to "plucked away" include "snatched away", "taken away", or "whisked away", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "plucked away from"?

Yes, "plucked away from" is a correct and common construction. For example: "The talented employee was "plucked away" from their previous company".

What's the difference between "plucked away" and "taken away"?

"Plucked away" suggests a more selective or deliberate removal, often implying that the item was chosen or desirable. "Taken away" is a more general term for removing something.