shot away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shot away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been fired or propelled away from a source, often in a context related to projectiles or rapid movement. Example: "The arrow shot away from the bow with incredible speed, hitting the target perfectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Solo dived to her right and punched Daiane's shot away.

The New York Times - Sports

But from behind, Atlanta's Jeff Teague swats the shot away.

The New York Times - Sports

"They came one shot away from the national championship".

The New York Times - Sports

Harper diverts his low shot away with his foot.

The Guardian - Sport

Rape, murder was absolutely just a shot away".

The Guardian - Music

Szczesny again pushed the shot away for a corner.

The Guardian - Sport

Insurgents are now 300 yards — a rifle shot away — from the presidential palace.

The New York Times

She got her shot away quickly, before the American defenders could rush to block it.

The New York Times

Forster also tipped Olivier Giroud's shot away before thwarting Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez.

Independent

The vet gets his shot away as the rhino charges through the trees and scrub.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now a new war is under way, just a Scud-shot away from the conflict here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action of deflecting or repelling something, consider the context. "Shot away" is most appropriate when referring to projectiles or actions with considerable force. For broader situations, alternatives such as "deflected" or "repelled" may be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "shot away" to describe situations where the action is passive or lacks a sense of force. For example, instead of "The opportunity was shot away by circumstances", consider "The opportunity was lost due to circumstances" to maintain clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "shot away" primarily functions as a verb describing motion or deflection. It denotes the act of something being propelled rapidly or turned aside forcefully. Ludwig showcases its use in scenarios ranging from sports to warfare, indicating its versatility in conveying action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shot away" is a versatile phrasal verb commonly used to describe the forceful propulsion or deflection of an object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general media. While primarily neutral in register, it is less frequently found in highly formal or academic settings. For situations where a more formal or precise term is required, alternatives like "propelled", "deflected", or "dismissed" may be more appropriate. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources highlights its accepted and effective use in contemporary English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fired off

Focuses on the action of discharging a projectile, similar to one aspect of "shot away".

propelled forth

Emphasizes the act of being forcefully moved forward, akin to a projectile being "shot away".

driven off

Suggests being pushed back or repelled, similar to deflecting a "shot away".

deflected aside

Highlights the action of turning something away from its intended course.

fended off

Implies warding off an attack, relating to the 'avoidance' aspect of some "shot away" contexts.

pushed aside

Conveys the action of moving something out of the way, sharing the 'removal' aspect.

knocked back

Indicates a forceful repulsion, similar to a "shot away" being deflected.

averted narrowly

Focuses on the near miss aspect, implying a "shot away" was close to succeeding.

barely dodged

Emphasizes the act of narrowly avoiding something, related to the potential danger of a "shot away".

dismissed swiftly

Highlights the quick rejection or removal of something, similar to a "shot away" idea.

FAQs

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

The phrase "shot away" can describe something being propelled from a source, like "The arrow shot away from the bow", or something being deflected, like "The goalkeeper punched the shot away".

What can I say instead of "shot away"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "fired off", "deflected aside", or "driven off".

Is it correct to use "shot away" in a formal context?

While generally acceptable, "shot away" might be more suitable for news or sports reporting. In formal writing, consider using a more precise term like "propelled" or "deflected" based on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "shot away" and "shot off"?

"Shot away" often implies a repelling or deflecting action, while "shot off" usually describes something simply being fired or propelled. For example, "The goalie shot the puck away" versus "The rocket shot off into space".