stowed away

USAGE SUMMARY

"stowed away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and it means to hide or store something away.
Here is an example sentence: The pirate captain stowed away the stolen treasure in a secret cave.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Stowed away various artists he discovered in them.

The New Yorker

The black stool that normally sits in front of his locker had been stowed away.

The New York Times - Sports

He always stowed away the fliers and other "bits and pieces" of his activities.

The New York Times

Unknown to everyone three men stowed away & were discovered when the ship arrived in Panama.

The New Yorker

His dead son's music manuscripts are stowed away in a bookcase.

The New York Times - Books

That gear was stowed away when Seo took the mound, and quickly put the Mets behind.

The New York Times - Sports

Little Curtis has bunked off school and stowed away in Wisdom's car.

The Guardian - Film

He ran away at 11 and stowed away on a ship bound for Mobile, Ala.

The New York Times

When folded up and stowed away, the Table Tote could be mistaken for a second laptop.

The New York Times - Tech

For three months, he stowed away clothes, working 40 hours a week at $10 an hour.

The Guardian - Money

Could Juan really have stowed away so easily at the last minute?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stowed away" to describe the act of hiding something carefully for later use, or when someone secretly boards a vehicle. For example, "She stowed away her savings for a rainy day" or "The cat stowed away on the ship".

Common error

Avoid using "stowed away" when you simply mean "stored" or "put away" if there is no element of secrecy or careful hiding involved. "Stowed away" implies a deliberate act of concealment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stowed away" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. Ludwig's examples show it's used to describe the act of hiding something carefully or secretly boarding a vehicle. The examples provided in Ludwig also show the variability of the objects being hidden away, ranging from clothes, Christmas cards, jewelries, or evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stowed away" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb that implies hiding something carefully or secretly boarding a vehicle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it sees frequent use across different registers, especially in news and media. When writing, remember that "stowed away" is more than just storing something; it conveys a sense of concealment and intentionality. Related phrases include "hid", "concealed", and "secretly boarded". Avoid confusing it with simpler terms like "put away" when the aspect of secrecy is absent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hid

Replaces the phrasal verb with a simpler verb, focusing on the act of concealing.

put away

General term for storing something in its proper place.

concealed

Similar to 'hid' but implies a more deliberate attempt to keep something secret.

stored

Focuses on the action of placing something in a location for safekeeping or future use.

secretly boarded

Specifically refers to the act of boarding a vehicle without permission.

snuck on

Informal way to say someone boarded secretly.

placed in safekeeping

Highlights the intention of protecting something while storing it.

laid up

Implies storing something for future use. Usually refers to object rather than person.

cached

Implies storing resources, often in a hidden or secret location.

deposited

More formal term for placing something somewhere, often for safekeeping.

FAQs

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

You can use "stowed away" to describe hiding something carefully: "He "stowed away" the evidence in a secure location". It can also mean secretly boarding a vehicle: "The child "stowed away" on the airplane".

What can I say instead of "stowed away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "hid", "concealed", or "secretly boarded".

Which is correct, "stowed away" or "stored away"?

"Stowed away" implies a hidden or secret placement, often for future use or to remain undetected. "Stored away" simply means something was placed in storage. Use "stowed away" when the hiding aspect is important.

What's the difference between "stowed away" and "put away"?

"Put away" simply means to place something in its usual or proper location. "Stowed away" means to hide something carefully, often for protection or secrecy. For example, you might "put away" your clothes in a drawer, but you would "stow away" valuables in a safe.