shoo away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shoo away" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used as a phrasal verb to mean "to make someone or something leave, usually by waving one's hand or making a noise." Example: The dog was barking at the mailman, so I had to shoo it away before he could deliver the mail.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

· To shoo away the coeds.

The New Yorker

And they appreciated Magdi's ability to shoo away secret policemen.

The Economist

Workers stood by to shoo away swarms of flies.

The New York Times

They tried to shoo away some of the vagrants.

The New York Times

A security guard drives by to shoo away the group.

The New York Times

Mr. Spufford tries to shoo away readers, too, in his introduction.

The New York Times - Books

Picture a tiny drone that arises from your vegetable garden to shoo away hungry deer.

The New York Times - Tech

They will assess the damage, shoo away the snakes and mosquitoes and unpack.

The New York Times

And grim is exactly the atmosphere Fassel is trying to shoo away.

The New York Times - Sports

In the end, the police had to be summoned to shoo away the shut-outs.

The New York Times

Sometimes you have to shoo away a memoirist from your desk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shoo away", ensure the context clarifies what is being dismissed or driven away. A clear subject and object will enhance the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "shoo away" in highly formal or professional contexts. While generally acceptable, it may sound too casual. Opt for more formal alternatives like "repel" or "deter" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "shoo away" primarily functions as a verb of action, indicating the act of causing someone or something to leave. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0.3%

Encyclopedias

0.3%

Reference

0.4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "shoo away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its primary function is to describe the act of dismissing or repelling something or someone. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards informality and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using "shoo away", it's essential to consider the context and ensure clarity regarding what is being dismissed, and to opt for more formal alternatives in professional settings. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatility and practical application in various written contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drive away

Focuses on the act of causing someone or something to leave, often with force or determination.

chase away

Emphasizes a more active pursuit in making someone or something leave.

frighten off

Suggests causing fear as the reason for someone or something leaving.

scare away

Similar to "frighten off", but perhaps implying a more sudden or startling cause for departure.

turn away

Implies rejection or refusal of entry or access.

send packing

An informal idiom for dismissing someone abruptly.

repel

A more formal term for driving something back or away.

ward off

Suggests preventing something from approaching or affecting you.

deter

Focuses on discouraging someone from doing something through fear or doubt.

disperse

Implies causing a group to scatter or move in different directions.

FAQs

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

Use "shoo away" to describe the action of making someone or something leave, usually by waving your hand or making a noise. For example, "I had to shoo away the birds that were eating my vegetables."

What can I say instead of "shoo away"?

You can use alternatives like "drive away", "chase away", or "frighten off" depending on the context.

Is "shoo away" formal or informal?

"Shoo away" is generally considered informal. In more formal situations, consider using terms like "repel" or "deter".

What's the difference between "shoo away" and "turn away"?

"Shoo away" implies making something leave a place, while "turn away" implies refusing entry or access. For example, you might "shoo away" flies, but "turn away" customers.