shouldered away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shouldered away" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where someone physically or metaphorically pushes something aside or away using their shoulder. Example: "He shouldered away the crowd to reach the front of the stage."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But as we were shouldered away from the queen, it dawned on us.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Gently push hip and shoulder away from arms.

The New York Times

Tilt your head back and look up, keeping your shoulders away from your ears.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Last month, the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur sent a warning to American citizens here: "Remember to carry your backpack or purse on the shoulder AWAY from the road to prevent having it snatched by motorbikers".

The New York Times

Drury was injured Saturday when Curtis Glencross of the Flames hit him in the head with a glancing blow from his shoulder away from the play, when Drury did not have the puck.

The New York Times - Sports

Unlike Griffin, who stares at the rim as though to terrify it, James almost flirts with it, turning his shoulders away in a coy, I-won't-look-at-you sort of way; he often finishes with reverses, or semi-reverses, his eyes already elsewhere as the ball is going through the net.

The New Yorker

I think about the cues from the many years of yoga classes I have taken: heels down, hips back, shoulders away from my ears, fingers spread wide.

Huffington Post

Angle one shoulder away from the camera.

WikiHow

Drop your shoulders away from your ears.

WikiHow

Twist the shoulders away from the camera.

WikiHow

Making sure to draw the shoulders away from the ears.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "pushed aside" or "shoved away" for clearer communication, especially in formal writing. While "shouldered away" is understandable, it may sound awkward to some readers.

Common error

Avoid using "shouldered away" in formal or professional settings where a more neutral or precise verb would be more appropriate. Opt for alternatives like "navigated" or "displaced" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shouldered away" functions as a phrasal verb, where "shouldered" acts as the verb indicating the action and "away" functions as an adverbial particle modifying the verb's meaning. It describes a physical action of displacing something or someone using one's shoulder. Ludwig AI suggests it's not commonly used in written English and may be considered awkward or unclear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shouldered away" is a phrasal verb describing the action of pushing something or someone aside using one's shoulder. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not particularly common and might sound somewhat awkward. More common alternatives, such as "pushed aside" or "shoved away", may be clearer and more appropriate in many contexts. The usage is predominantly found in news media and general contexts. Therefore, writers should consider the audience and desired level of formality when deciding whether to use "shouldered away" or opt for a more conventional alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pushed aside

Emphasizes the act of making space by pushing, without necessarily using the shoulder.

shoved aside

Implies a more forceful and abrupt pushing action.

elbowed past

Specifically describes using the elbow to move through a crowd or obstacle.

bullied through

Suggests a more aggressive and forceful movement, often disregarding others.

forced through

Highlights the effort and determination required to pass through an obstruction.

muscled through

Emphasizes the use of physical strength to overcome an obstacle.

displaced

A more general term indicating removal from a position or place.

brushed past

Suggests a lighter, less forceful movement, often unintentional.

bumped past

Indicates accidental contact while moving past someone or something.

maneuvered past

Implies skillful and strategic movement around an obstacle.

FAQs

What does "shouldered away" mean?

The phrase "shouldered away" means to push someone or something aside using your shoulder, often to make space or move forward. It implies a physical action of displacement.

What can I say instead of "shouldered away"?

You can use alternatives like "pushed aside", "shoved away", or "elbowed past" depending on the context and the level of force implied.

Is "shouldered away" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "shouldered away" is less common than alternatives. Ludwig AI marks the phrase as acceptable. Its grammatical structure is valid, but its infrequent use might make it sound slightly awkward to some.

How can the connotation of "shouldered away" be changed?

To soften the connotation, use phrases like "brushed past" or "maneuvered past". For a more forceful connotation, consider "shoved aside" or "forced through".