slump away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slump away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone moving away in a dejected or defeated manner. Example: "After hearing the disappointing news, she could only slump away from the meeting, feeling defeated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And this is what we find: breasts the size of boxing gloves that slump away from the rib cage, plus a crease of flesh along the upper stomach, matched farther down by a kind of long smile where the navel must be concealed.

The New Yorker

Watching him slump away, sitting in the front of my house, my anger grew.

Huffington Post

He's an injured QB or defense slump away from groveling for a job at Baylor University (as Miles is) after being canned by LSU in a few years, even if he does win a National Championship at Baton Rouge.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If you want to see the same bafflement, vented with ten times the subtlety, check out Warren Beatty, in "Bonnie and Clyde," slumping away from Faye Dunaway and murmuring, "I told you I warn't no lover boy".

The New Yorker

Defeat is clearly not something Nikpai entertains, he ignores post-fight interview requests and slumps away for a somewhat cruelly-timed doping test.

BBC

Eva, with her legs drawn up, was to Hitler's left and slumped away from him.

Wikipedia

It's not as if the housing slump is going away any time soon.

The New York Times

Whereas Kaplan told stories freely and dispassionately, like a man unburdened, Corso exuded smugness in his reticence, slumping back and away from the microphone after each question.

The New Yorker

Instead, he shrugged, turned away, slumped his shoulders and dropped his head in profound disappointment. .

Huffington Post

Cats generally like people who tend to ignore them, since their posture (turned away, slumped shoulders) seems relaxed.

WikiHow

"This was to drive away the slump of the nineties," Keller wrote in a memoir.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slump away" to vividly describe a character's physical and emotional state after a setback. It's particularly effective when you want to show both the physical act of moving and the internal feeling of defeat.

Common error

Avoid using "slump away" when you intend to describe a quick or energetic departure. The phrase specifically conveys a sense of heaviness, weariness, or defeat, so it's not appropriate for scenarios involving urgency or enthusiasm.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "slump away" primarily functions as a descriptor of movement, indicating a weary, dejected, or defeated manner of departure. Ludwig examples showcase individuals physically withdrawing, often post a disappointment or emotional event. This illustrates its role in conveying both physical action and emotional state.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slump away" is a phrasal verb used to describe moving in a dejected or defeated manner, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is considered grammatically correct but is relatively rare in usage. Its primary function is to convey both a physical action and an emotional state, evoking feelings of weariness or discouragement. While mainly found in news and media contexts, it is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. Related phrases include "slink away" and "slouch away", offering similar but nuanced meanings. When using "slump away", ensure it accurately reflects a sense of heaviness or defeat, avoiding its application in scenarios requiring energy or enthusiasm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slouch away

Emphasizes a posture of dejection and lack of energy during departure.

retreat dejectedly

Directly expresses the feeling of sadness and discouragement during the act of moving back or away.

withdraw dispiritedly

Focuses on the internal state of being without hope or enthusiasm while retreating.

slink away

Implies a quiet, stealthy retreat, often due to shame or guilt.

recede despondently

Implies a gradual fading away or moving back with a sense of hopelessness.

shuffle off

Suggests a slow, dragging movement, often associated with weariness or resignation.

trudge off

Highlights a laborious and heavy-footed departure, emphasizing difficulty or reluctance.

fade away

Suggests a gradual disappearance or decline, often in a metaphorical sense of losing strength or importance.

peter out

Implies a gradual decrease in strength or intensity until something comes to an end or disappears.

wilt away

Conveys a sense of drooping or weakening, leading to a gradual disappearance or decline, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

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

You can use "slump away" to describe someone moving with a heavy or dejected posture, often after a disappointment. For example, "After hearing the news, he could only "slump away", shoulders drooping".

What phrases are similar to "slump away"?

Alternatives to "slump away" include "slink away", "shuffle off", or "slouch away", each conveying a slightly different nuance of dejected movement.

Is "slump away" formal or informal?

"Slump away" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression. While understandable in most contexts, it's less common in very formal writing than alternatives like "retreat dejectedly".

What does "slump away" emphasize in a description?

"Slump away" emphasizes both the physical act of moving and the emotional state of dejection or defeat. It suggests a lack of energy and a heavy, dispirited departure.