poke it away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poke it away" is not standard in written English and may not be widely understood.
It could be used in informal contexts to suggest dismissing or getting rid of something in a light-hearted manner. Example: "Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I just poke it away and focus on what really matters."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Vladimir Tsyplakov cleared the puck from a corner, and Salo failed to poke it away.

The New York Times - Sports

Malkin, the 2009 Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoffs' most valuable player, jumped on a loose puck beside Elliott and fired it into an open net at 5 57 after Elliott failed to poke it away.

The New York Times

At the other end, a Williams free-kick caused keeper Carl Ikeme problems, however defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell got to the loose ball ahead of the incoming Padraig Amond to poke it away.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

LA have multiple chances on net! Carter is charging the net but Lundqvist pokes it away!

The Guardian - Sport

Vokoun went behind the net to play the puck, but David Clarkson poked it away from him.

The New York Times

Nash poked it away, sending it to Callahan in front for an easy goal into the open net.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead of gathering the ball, De Gea poked it away with his foot and Streller was able to place a powerful half-volley into the net.

BBC

He got a breaking ball, low and away, and poked it off the end of his bat toward the hole between first and second.

The New York Times - Sports

He poked it on target but Hart scrambled it away with his left foot.

The Guardian - Sport

He could poke the ball away, block the shot, knock it off Latrell Sprewell's leg, anything.

The New York Times - Sports

Ken had his BlackBerry, was poking away at it with the little plastic stick.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "poke it away" in contexts where a quick, light, or deft action is used to remove an object, especially in sports or informal situations. Avoid using it in formal or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "poke it away" in formal documents or professional communication. It can sound too casual or unprofessional for such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poke it away" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating an action of quickly or deftly removing something. It often describes a defensive maneuver or a swift intervention to prevent something from reaching a specific point. Ludwig highlights its use in contexts like sports reporting.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poke it away" is an informal phrasal verb that describes the action of quickly deflecting or removing something, often with a pointed motion. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, particularly in sports reporting, where it conveys a sense of immediacy and directness. While grammatically acceptable, it's generally too informal for academic or professional writing. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not standard in written English, suggesting more formal alternatives like "deflect" or "block" might be more appropriate in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fend it off

Suggests a defensive action to prevent something from reaching a target.

knock it aside

Implies a forceful movement to deflect something from its course.

tap it away

Indicates a light, quick movement to remove something.

brush it aside

Suggests dismissing something with a quick, light gesture.

sweep it away

Implies a broad, sweeping motion to clear something.

deflect it

Highlights the act of turning something away from its intended direction.

block it

Focuses on preventing something from passing through a barrier.

divert it

Implies changing the course of something.

dislodge it

Suggests forcing something out of its position.

clear it

Indicates removing something to create space or safety.

FAQs

How can I use "poke it away" in a sentence?

You can use "poke it away" to describe a quick action of deflecting or removing something, like "The defender managed to poke the ball away just in time."

What does "poke it away" mean?

"Poke it away" typically means to quickly deflect or remove something with a poking motion, often to prevent it from reaching a specific point or person.

What can I say instead of "poke it away"?

You can use alternatives like "fend it off", "knock it aside", or "tap it away" depending on the context.

Is "poke it away" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "poke it away" is generally too informal for formal writing. Opt for more professional terms like "deflect", "block", or "clear".