snatch away

USAGE SUMMARY

"snatch away" is a valid phrase which can be used in written English.
It means to take something suddenly or quickly, usually without permission. For example, "The thief snatched the wallet away from the woman and ran away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He'll snatch away all we've built and protected, everything that has been — for so long — ours".

The New Yorker

Under the law, they say, consumers are already receiving tangible benefits that Republicans would snatch away.

The New York Times

So who is Janet Reno to take on Our Lady and snatch away the Baby Elian?

The New York Times

Maybe this time is different, and Lucy won't snatch away the recovery football again — but why act before we're sure?

The New York Times

Another is that the Fed has changed, that it may be ready to snatch away the punch bowl sooner than previously believed.

The New York Times

But Djokovic did what champions do, and found a way to win back those points, break Federer and somehow snatch away a most improbable victory.

The New York Times

Riff and raff are half-rhyming quasi-nouns from the Old French rifler, "to rifle, ransack," and raffler, "to ravage, snatch away," applied to things of little value.

The New York Times - Magazine

The wife's expedient at last for getting him to father an all-important heir is to snatch away his crutch and then lock up the whisky.

The Guardian

As Max moves down the line, their arms robotically reach out and snatch away his shirt and trousers, leaving him in his briefs.

The New York Times

Will the ebb of consumer confidence depress the stock market and plunge us into deep recession and snatch away the security of my retirement funds?

The New York Times

One result of that policy has been to snatch away whatever chance the Gasparinatos kids might have had of decent lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "snatch away" to describe a sudden, forceful removal or taking of something, often implying a sense of injustice or loss for the person or entity from which it is taken.

Common error

Avoid using "snatch away" in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "remove", "withdraw", or "reclaim" would be more appropriate. The phrase's informal connotation can undermine the seriousness of the topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "snatch away" functions as a phrasal verb, where "snatch" is the verb and "away" is the particle. According to Ludwig AI, it means to take something suddenly or quickly, usually without permission. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing both physical and abstract takings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "snatch away" is a phrasal verb used to describe the sudden and often unfair removal of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, conveying a sense of loss or injustice. While grammatically correct, it is more appropriate for neutral to informal settings, with more formal contexts requiring more neutral alternatives like "remove" or "withdraw". The phrase carries an emotional charge, emphasizing the abruptness and undesirability of the taking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grab away

Suggests a quick and less forceful taking than "snatch away".

tear away

Implies ripping or forcibly separating something from its attachment, often with violence or damage.

rip away

Similar to "tear away", but often suggests a more sudden and forceful action.

wrest away

Indicates a struggle or effort involved in taking something from someone.

seize

Suggests taking possession of something, often in a legal or formal context.

take by force

Emphasizes the use of power or coercion in acquiring something.

confiscate

Implies taking something away as a penalty or due to legal authority.

appropriate

Suggests taking something for one's own use, often without permission.

commandeer

Implies taking possession of something for military or public use.

expropriate

Suggests taking private property for public use, often by a government.

FAQs

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

Use "snatch away" to describe the sudden and forceful removal of something valued or desired. For example, "The storm threatened to "snatch away" their livelihood".

What can I say instead of "snatch away"?

You can use alternatives like "grab away", "tear away", or "wrest away" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "snatch away" in formal writing?

While "snatch away" is widely understood, it may be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using a more neutral alternative like "remove" or "withdraw" for a more professional tone.

What is the difference between "snatch away" and "steal"?

"Steal" implies taking something dishonestly or illegally with the intent to keep it. "Snatch away" emphasizes the suddenness and forcefulness of the taking, regardless of whether it's technically theft. Something can be "snatched away" without being stolen, and something can be stolen without being "snatched away".