speak away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'speak away' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a phrase to give permission to someone to speak freely and without hesitation. For example, "Please, speak away and share your thoughts on the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As an observer of these speeches for quite a few years, I thought he was able to speak away from the constraints he has had before when speaking as chancellor.

The Guardian

"If Barack Obama crossed the road, so to speak, away from what government systems can do, and began to talk about individual responsibility as the purest and most immediate form of social power available to the poor, he would surely suffer Bill Cosby's fate".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When asked why he did not speak out right away, Officer Maloney testified that he did not think he had seen any misconduct.

The New York Times

We should have spoken out right away when the Green Revolution was up and starting, when the mullahs in Iran were attacking their people.

The New York Times

Senior Democrats on Capitol Hill shy away from speaking out.

The New York Times

She is brilliant and never once shied away from speaking out for women.

Huffington Post

King, who founded the Women's Tennis Association, has not shied away from speaking out against sexism.

Huffington Post

It's me speaking out and pulling away at those labels that limit my experience".

Vice

"To speak it away," he writes, "would have been to speak myself away".

The Guardian - Books

"Can we speak privately, away from the crowd?" she whispered.

The Guardian - Books

An older neighbor, who demanded we speak inside away from prying eyes, was more blunt.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "speak away" when you want to explicitly grant someone permission to express their thoughts or feelings without inhibition.

Common error

Avoid using "speak away" in highly formal or professional settings. More conventional phrases like "please share your thoughts" or "feel free to express your views" are typically preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speak away" functions as an imperative phrasal verb, typically used to grant permission or encourage someone to express their thoughts or feelings freely. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "speak away" is a grammatically correct but rarely used phrasal verb that serves to invite or permit someone to speak freely. As Ludwig AI notes, it is usable in written English, albeit less common than alternatives like "speak freely" or "feel free to share". The phrase is most often encountered in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, "speak away" should be used cautiously in formal settings, where more conventional expressions are preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speak freely

This alternative focuses on the manner of speaking, emphasizing the absence of constraints.

feel free to speak

This option conveys permission and encouragement to talk.

don't hesitate to speak

This alternative emphasizes the removal of any hesitation to voice opinions.

speak without reservation

This alternative highlights the lack of hesitation or doubt in expressing oneself.

speak your mind

This alternative means to say exactly what you think, regardless of others' opinions.

express yourself freely

This alternative broadens the scope to include various forms of self-expression, not just speaking.

voice your opinion

This emphasizes the expression of personal opinions or beliefs.

share your thoughts

This alternative is a more general invitation to contribute one's ideas.

open up

Implies a deeper, more personal sharing of thoughts and feelings.

get something off your chest

This suggests relieving oneself of a burden by speaking openly.

FAQs

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

You can use "speak away" to invite someone to share their thoughts freely. For example: "The floor is yours, "speak away"."

What does "speak away" mean?

The phrase "speak away" means to give someone permission or encouragement to speak freely and without reservation.

Are there more formal alternatives to "speak away"?

Yes, in formal situations, you might prefer phrases like "please share your thoughts", "feel free to express your views", or "your input is welcome".

Is "speak away" grammatically correct?

Yes, "speak away" is grammatically correct, though it is not a very common phrase. It's often used to grant someone permission to talk.