smile away

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually an informal phrase used to suggest that someone should try to be cheerful and not let their worries get in the way of enjoying life. For example: "Don't let this setback get you down - just smile away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

With each passing mile, something uncanny would happen to Kipchoge's face: a broad grin, conceived in a deliberate effort to smile away the pain.

The Times

"He's a guy who's willing to smile away from his football and he's got a job to do in the dugout, and he plays with that fire but he's a pussycat really".

BBC

"He's a guy who's willing to smile away from his football and he's got a job to do in the dugout, and he plays with that fire but he's a pussycat really". Westley's side, one point above the relegation zone, host the play-off chasing Millers on Saturday.

BBC

If your goal in life is to be helpful, like, say, for a real estate agent, smile away.

Huffington Post

Perhaps my favorite moment of the whole evening was when Anita was singing her line, "No use permitting/Some prophet of doom/To wipe every smile away," and I caught Penny simply looking at the audience.

HuffPost

I certainly don't want ― or have the time ― to fight every person who says something offensive about me, but I refuse to ignore or smile away or enable the general mob-like bad behavior practiced in the public court of opinion on the internet.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And she was smiling away.

The Guardian - Books

I found it so arrogantly rude; I could see her smiling away".

The Guardian

Smiling away feeling good about the world after the small victory for fans in the face of rapacious capital.

The Guardian - Sport

Can I keep the microphone as a souvenir?' He's smiling away, so happy because Grace Jones beaned him.

The Guardian - Music

Whenever I envision myself doing these things, I am having an absolute blast, smiling away with no care in the world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smile away" when you want to suggest facing challenges with a positive attitude, even if it's just a facade. It's particularly effective in contexts where maintaining a cheerful demeanor is important, like customer service or personal resilience.

Common error

Avoid using "smile away" to trivialize someone's feelings or serious problems. While it encourages positivity, it shouldn't be used to invalidate legitimate concerns or discourage necessary action. A better approach is to acknowledge the issue and then offer support or solutions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "smile away" is as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "smile" with the particle "away" to create a new verb with a distinct meaning, indicating an attempt to diminish or conceal something negative by smiling. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smile away" is a phrasal verb that describes the act of using a smile to cope with or conceal something negative. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and highlights its common usage in informal contexts such as news and media. While encouraging positivity, remember to avoid using it to trivialize genuine concerns. Consider related phrases like "grin and bear it" or "put on a brave face" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. By understanding its appropriate context and potential pitfalls, you can effectively incorporate "smile away" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brush it off with a smile

This phrase implies dismissing something negative lightly, using a smile to downplay its importance and move on.

grin through the pain

This phrase highlights enduring hardship with a forced smile, emphasizing the contrast between inner suffering and outward appearance.

grin and bear it

This alternative implies enduring something unpleasant with forced cheerfulness, focusing on silent suffering rather than actively "smiling away" the problem.

face adversity with a smile

Similar in meaning, but more formal and emphasizes confronting challenges with a positive attitude.

put on a brave face

This phrase suggests concealing sadness or fear behind a facade of courage, similar to "smile away" but with a stronger emphasis on hiding vulnerability.

keep smiling

This is a more general encouragement to maintain a positive attitude, less specific than "smile away" in addressing a particular challenge.

keep your chin up

This idiom means to remain cheerful in a difficult situation, sharing a similar positive spirit, but not necessarily involving a smile.

laugh it off

Focuses on using laughter to diminish the impact of a problem, rather than a smile, suggesting a more lighthearted approach.

look on the bright side

Focuses on finding positive aspects in negative situations, promoting optimism rather than specific use of a smile.

maintain a cheerful disposition

This phrase promotes general happiness, without directly relating to overcoming specific problems.

FAQs

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

You can use "smile away" to suggest dealing with a problem or discomfort by maintaining a cheerful facade. For example, "Despite the pain, he tried to "smile away" his anxiety.".

What does it mean to "smile away" something?

To "smile away" something means to try and make a problem or difficult situation seem less serious by smiling, often as a way of coping or presenting a positive image.

What are some alternatives to "smile away"?

Some alternatives include "grin and bear it", "put on a brave face", or "brush it off with a smile", depending on the context.

Is "smile away" considered formal or informal language?

"Smile away" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, you might choose a more direct or serious tone, or opt for a phrase like "face adversity with a smile".