takeaway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "takeaway" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the main point or lesson learned from a discussion, presentation, or experience. Example: "The main takeaway from the meeting was the importance of teamwork in achieving our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This video shows an innocent man at a bus stop, holding a takeaway pizza box, when a group of men drive by and snatch it from his hands.

The Guardian

I love my home because I love hanging out with my kids and my wife and our cats and eating takeaway curries and watching Modern Family.

The Guardian

He has been putting his Anglo-American experience on display with this excellent new cafe and takeaway.

The Guardian - Travel

The big things just weren't big enough to lure hungry travellers from the generic service stations and drive-through takeaway joints that dot the freeways today.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Norman Lamb, the Lib Dem health minister, pledged his party would give more information about salt in food through traffic light labelling on packaging and more information on restaurant and takeaway menus.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hundreds of miles south in London the atmosphere was looking up in Downing Street where George Osborne had hosted a takeaway curry dinner for the prime minister and their close aides in No 11 in the final hours of polling.

The Guardian

The police did provide the suspect with a takeaway in the course of negotiating his surrender (a common tactic) but his human rights weren't involved.

The Guardian - Opinion

She has no car and two kids, while the supermarket is on the outskirts of town and the takeaway is next door.

The Guardian

Instead, led in by the elbow, blindfold whipped away, the club's supporters have been presented with something that looks a bit more like a takeaway in front of the telly.

The Guardian - Sport

Food: Lots of unusually decent takeaway options – fish and chips and other fried seafood at RockSalt, wok-fried Asian dishes at Hot Wok, burgers and fries and the like from the Big Grill and pizza at PizzaLove.

The Guardian - Music

Just Eat allows punters to order a takeaway pizza, curry, or whatever, over the internet and via a mobile phone.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When talking about food, specify what type of "takeaway" it is, for example, "Chinese takeaway" or "pizza takeaway", to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "takeaway" as a substitute for a formal conclusion in academic or professional reports; instead, opt for more precise terms like "conclusion", "result", or "implication".

Linguistic Context

The term "takeaway" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a restaurant providing food for consumption off-premises or the food itself. It can also denote a crucial point or lesson derived from a situation, discussion, or presentation, as confirmed by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "takeaway" is a versatile term with two primary meanings: a restaurant or meal for consumption off-premises and a key point or conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly in British English. While its usage is very common, formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "key point" or "conclusion". When referring to a restaurant or meal, it's more commonly referred to as "takeout" in American English. The word is widely present in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key point

Focuses on the most important idea or message.

main conclusion

Emphasizes the final result or judgment.

central idea

Highlights the core concept or theme.

primary lesson

Stresses what has been learned or understood.

chief outcome

Highlights the principal result or effect.

essential message

Focuses on the indispensable communication.

crucial insight

Highlights a critical understanding or realization.

significant finding

Emphasizes an important discovery or observation.

major implication

Highlights the important consequences or effects.

core principle

Emphasizes a fundamental rule or belief.

FAQs

How can I use "takeaway" in a sentence?

You can use "takeaway" to refer to a key point or a meal bought from a restaurant to eat elsewhere. For example, "The main "takeaway" from the conference was the importance of sustainable practices", or "I'm ordering a "takeaway" tonight".

What can I say instead of "takeaway"?

Alternatives to "takeaway" include phrases like "key point", "main conclusion", or "central idea" when referring to a main point. For food, you can use "takeout" or "carryout".

Is "takeaway" formal or informal?

"Takeaway" is generally considered informal, especially when referring to a main point or lesson. In formal contexts, it's better to use alternatives such as "key point" or "main conclusion". When referring to food, it is considered to be neutral.

Which is correct, "takeaway" or "take out"?

"Takeaway" and "take out" are both correct, but "takeaway" is more commonly used in British English, while "take out" is more common in American English. They both refer to food bought from a restaurant to eat elsewhere.