slash away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slash away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of cutting or removing something forcefully or decisively, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The editor decided to slash away unnecessary words from the manuscript to improve its clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

What the net contains -- slash away, reader -- is treasure.

The New York Times - Books

The Tea Partiers happily slash away at programs that their voters don't care about and pretend they're being heroic.

The New York Times

In all these realms, conservatives wield reactionary colorblindness like a sword to slash away at programs designed to achieve the integration ideals of the civil-rights movement.

University of California, Berkeley

You might think that St George would slash away at that dragon – a stupendous red and green creation, more demon than critter – but he doesn't.

The Guardian - Arts

That ability - to slash away - comes with experience and growing confidence, I suggest, and he responds eagerly: "I think so, yeah.

The Guardian

Corporate managers, she writes, slash away at employee benefits as if the executives who ran the companies before them were wastrels who lavished too much on employees.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Beside him, his band mates gleefully slashed away, sounding reluctant to let the groove fade.

The New York Times - Arts

McGregor seized upon Diaz's uncertainty and slashed away at his backstreet bravado.

The Guardian - Sport

A video of that game shows a knight slashing away at opponents as he makes his way into a castle.

The New York Times

Tonight, he restricts himself largely to rhythm guitar, slashing away gamely while Johannes shoulders lead guitar duties.

Independent

Thus, they are slashing away at important government services, laying off workers and raising fees and taxes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slash away" when you want to convey a sense of forceful or decisive removal. It can be used both literally, in the context of cutting, and figuratively, in contexts like reducing budgets or editing text.

Common error

While "slash away" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal or business writing. Opt for more precise terms like "reduce", "eliminate", or "decrease" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slash away" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It signifies the act of forcefully cutting or removing something, either literally with a sharp object or figuratively to indicate a drastic reduction. Ludwig examples show usage in news, media, and even wiki contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

11%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slash away" is a common phrasal verb used to describe forceful removal or reduction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to consider the tone and formality of your writing when using "slash away", opting for more precise alternatives like "reduce" or "eliminate" in formal settings. The phrase conveys decisiveness and often urgency, making it suitable for both literal and figurative applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cut away

Emphasizes the act of cutting something off or removing it.

trim down

Suggests reducing something in size or amount by cutting off small pieces.

pare down

Implies reducing something to its essential parts.

chop away

Conveys a more forceful and less precise method of removal.

hack away

Indicates crude or heavy-handed cutting.

prune away

Suggests careful and selective removal, often in a figurative sense.

whittle down

Implies gradual reduction through repeated small actions.

excise

Formal term for removing something, usually surgically or formally.

eliminate

Means to completely remove or get rid of something.

reduce drastically

Focuses on the significant decrease in quantity or size.

FAQs

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

You can use "slash away" to describe the act of forcefully cutting something, like "He used a machete to slash away the overgrown weeds." Figuratively, it can mean to drastically reduce something, such as, "The company decided to slash away at the marketing budget."

What can I say instead of "slash away"?

Alternatives to "slash away" include "cut away", "trim down", or "pare down", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "slash away at" or "slash away"?

"Slash away at" is used when the object is specified (e.g., "slash away at the budget"), while "slash away" can be used more generally to indicate forceful removal or reduction without specifying the object. Both are grammatically correct depending on the context.

What is the difference between "slash away" and "cut away"?

"Slash away" implies a more forceful and often less precise action than "cut away". "Cut away" suggests a cleaner, more deliberate removal, while "slash away" can suggest aggression or urgency.