shrink away

USAGE SUMMARY

"shrink away" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a physical or emotional reaction in which someone or something moves back quickly or cowers, typically due to fear or discomfort. For example, "When the loud noise came from outside, she shrank away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The police, too, seem to shrink away from confrontation.

The Economist

Chloe tries to shrink away behind the clothes rack.

The New Yorker

The smaller, weaker Knut doesn't shrink away from the taller, more vibrant Solness during this exchange.

The New Yorker

When he asks the audience, "Would you touch a rough sleeper?" some shrink away.

Independent

Carnegie is satanic (the Cross makes him shrink away), Eli a prophet.

The New Yorker

The rebel forces, estimated at between 5,000 and 6,000, are expected to shrink away.

The New York Times

Are we afraid that when presented with new vocabulary, children will shrink away?

The New York Times

In terms of lived religious practice, I concede, these differences shrink away to almost nothing.

The New York Times - Books

Or do you shrink away at the thought of the hard, hot work involved?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Surely the author of these words would not shrink away from publishing under his or her own name.

The New Yorker

After 18 months of sleaze and corruption allegations against him, Mr Berlusconi has seen his parliamentary majority shrink away.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To ensure clarity, specify the reason for shrinking away. Saying someone "shrank away in disgust" provides a clearer picture than just "shrank away".

Common error

Avoid using "shrink away" when a more neutral term like "move back" or "step aside" is appropriate. "Shrink away" carries a strong connotation of fear or aversion, so ensure it fits the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "shrink away" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, describing an action performed by the subject. It indicates a movement of drawing back, often due to fear, aversion, or discomfort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "shrink away" is a versatile expression used to describe a withdrawal, often prompted by fear, discomfort, or aversion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. It commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While alternatives like "shy away" or "draw back" exist, "shrink away" carries a stronger connotation of aversion. Remember to use it judiciously to accurately reflect the intended emotional impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shy away

Suggests avoiding something due to timidity or discomfort.

recoil

A more general term for drawing back suddenly.

draw back

A more literal and less emotionally charged version of shrinking away.

cower

Implies shrinking away due to fear.

flinch

Suggests a quick, involuntary movement away from something.

pull back

A more physical action of retreating.

back down

Indicates withdrawing from a confrontation or challenge.

wince

Implies a slight shrinking away, often in response to pain or discomfort.

retreat

Implies a more strategic withdrawal.

recede

Indicates a gradual withdrawal or decrease.

FAQs

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

You can use "shrink away" to describe someone recoiling in fear or discomfort, like: "The child "shrank away" from the barking dog."

What are some alternatives to "shrink away"?

Alternatives include "shy away", "draw back", or "recoil", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "shrank away" or "shrunk away"?

Both "shrank away" and "shrunk away" are acceptable past tense forms of "shrink away", although "shrank away" is generally more common.

What's the difference between "shy away" and "shrink away"?

"Shy away" implies avoiding something due to timidity, while "shrink away" suggests a stronger reaction of fear or disgust. /s/shy+away