spill away

USAGE SUMMARY

"spill away" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe a rapid flow of a liquid. For example, "The milk spilled away as he tried to pour it into the bowl."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Other theories suggest a process called carrier leakage, in which at high currents the carriers start to spill away from areas of high performance, or another process, called carrier delocalization, where electrons simply fail to find a paired hole at high electric currents because they are pulled away from the active region where electrons and holes are supposed to recombine and emit light.

The New York Times

From time to time, on my left, the curtain of banana trees and acacias would swing open, and the hills and valleys would spill away from us, towards a horizon of forest.

BBC

Expository premises in Mathews novels rarely play out the way one would expect, often making his scenes work like a series of rooms each with a false floor, underneath which is another set of rooms possibly falling into another kind of like how dreams continue to spill away from what they appeared to be at first.

Vice

Expository premises in Mathews novels rarely play out the way one would expect, often making his scenes work like a series of rooms each with a false floor, underneath which is another set of rooms each possibly falling into another kind of like how dreams continue to spill away from what they appeared to be at first.

Vice

Wipe the dirt or spill away with this soapy rag.

WikiHow

If you accidentally get the cover dirty, you can clean the dirt or spill away with a lukewarm water and mild liquid detergent.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A topiary madness rages on Woodhaven Boulevard and on the streets spilling away to the east and west.

The New York Times

Harsher still was the choice of "Out, Out," Frost's account of a youth's precious life spilling away in a sawmill accident amid the heedless glories of Vermont.

The New York Times

As the chapter ends, the now enormous monsters brought to life by the volcanic energy are spilling away from Greenland towards Europe.

Wikipedia

A few blocks away, guests spilled out of an even more boisterous memorial.

The New York Times

As the game's final 1 42 ticked away, Cowboys fans spilled out of the stadium.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spill away", ensure the context involves a liquid or loose substance that can flow or scatter. For instance, "Tears spilled away from her eyes as she heard the news."

Common error

Avoid using "spill away" for subjects that cannot physically flow or scatter. Incorrect: "Secrets spilled away during the argument." Correct: "Secrets were revealed during the argument."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "spill away" functions to describe the action of something, usually a liquid or granular substance, spreading or flowing outward from a central point. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides illustrative examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

27%

News & Media

54%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "spill away" describes the action of a liquid or granular substance spreading or flowing outward. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and offers several examples. It finds frequent use in news, media and wiki contexts. While grammatically sound, its register leans towards neutral, making it less common in highly formal settings. When writing, ensure the subject is capable of flowing or scattering, and remember that alternatives like "flow away" or "drain away" may be more fitting depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flow away

Emphasizes the continuous movement and dispersion of something, typically liquid.

drain away

Focuses on the gradual emptying or removal of a liquid from a container or area.

seep away

Suggests a slow and gradual leakage or permeation of liquid.

scatter away

Highlights the act of dispersing or spreading something in different directions.

disperse

Implies a widespread distribution or spreading out of something.

spread out

Suggests an even distribution or expansion over a surface or area.

leak out

Focuses on the unintentional release or escape of liquid or information.

escape

Emphasizes the act of breaking free or getting away from confinement.

empty out

Highlights the complete removal of contents from a container or space.

pour out

Suggests a rapid and uncontrolled discharge of liquid.

FAQs

How is "spill away" used in a sentence?

You can use "spill away" to describe a liquid or granular substance spreading out rapidly. For instance, "The gasoline spilled away from the damaged tank."

What can I say instead of "spill away"?

Alternatives include "flow away", "drain away", or "seep away", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "spill away" in a formal context?

While "spill away" is grammatically correct, it may be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "discharge" or "disperse".

What's the difference between "spill away" and "spill out"?

"Spill away" implies a spreading or scattering motion, while "spill out" suggests an overflowing or exiting from a container or confined space.