teasing away

USAGE SUMMARY

"teasing away" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the process of gently or playfully coaxing or removing something. For example, "The children teased away the worries of the day with their laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The mesenteric lymph duct was isolated by teasing away the surrounding tissue with a cotton swab.

BMC Cancer

To acquire the hippocampal explant, the dorsal-most section (Bregma -1.2 to -1.6 mm) was microdissected to liberate the hippocampus and dentate gyrus by gently teasing away the cortex with scalpels (No. 11 blade, Fisher Sci).

eLife

Teasing away a tangle of variables and apparent contradictions — "Longevity has soared along with the manufacture of cigarettes" — he notes that "running beneath the surface there is a core rate of cancer, the legacy of being multicellular creatures in an imperfect world".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Let's tease away".

The New Yorker

There is a particular quality to Homer's Iliad that has caused later writers to tease away at it, rewrite it, rethink it.

The Guardian - Books

Every night across the planet, astronomers use the most advanced instruments to tease away new details about the cosmos, and sometimes their efforts catch some rather strange goings on.

Science Magazine

The SGs were teased away from other organs using ultra-fine forceps (#5, Bioquip) in a bath of 1 × PBS.

BMC Genomics

Albumen was gently teased away from each side of the embryo with a Kimwipe (Fig. 3A) creating a small depression over the embryo.

Biological Procedures Online

Other tissues were trimmed away and the segment placed in 6 mg/ml pancreatin (Sigma P3292) in PBS for 7 min. Pieces were transferred into clean PBS to tease away all tissues, including the tightly adherent notochord and ectoderm, from neural tubes.

Human Molecular Genetics

Mike Leigh has spent his career peeling away the surface of ordinary British lives and teasing out the extraordinary dramas within.

The Guardian - Film

With all these different methods of courtship going on – each of them quietly teasing us away from the time-honoured tradition of person meets person on a night out, drinks six pints and does some sex – the question is whether or not technology will eventually become the one and only way humans form romantic relationships.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, use "teasing away" to evoke a sense of playful discovery or gentle revelation. It is particularly effective when describing uncovering secrets or hidden meanings.

Common error

Avoid using "teasing away" in contexts where a serious or forceful action is involved. The term implies a light, gentle touch, and using it inappropriately can create a jarring disconnect for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "teasing away" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a process of gentle and careful removal or separation. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where it's used to describe detaching biological tissues and uncovering hidden details.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "teasing away" is a phrasal verb denoting a gentle and careful removal or separation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically sound phrase, though its frequency is rare. It is primarily used in scientific and news media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with its implication of delicacy and care. Related phrases like "gently removing" or "coaxing out" may offer suitable alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gently removing

Focuses on the careful and delicate aspect of the action, omitting the 'playful' implication.

coaxing out

Emphasizes persuasion and subtle encouragement to extract something.

extracting carefully

Highlights the extraction process with an added emphasis on precision.

detaching delicately

Stresses the act of separating something with care to avoid damage.

unraveling gradually

Suggests a slow and methodical process of disentangling or separating.

drawing aside

Implies a movement to the side, revealing what was behind.

easing out

Highlights the gentle and gradual nature of the removal.

separating softly

Focuses on the gentleness of the separation process.

lifting gently

Highlights the act of carefully raising and removing something.

disentangling slowly

Implies a careful and unhurried process of separating intertwined elements.

FAQs

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

You can use "teasing away" to describe gently removing something, such as "He was "teasing away" the old wallpaper to reveal the original brick" or "The scientist was "teasing away" the excess tissue to isolate the nerve".

What does "teasing away" imply about the action being described?

"Teasing away" suggests a gentle, careful, and sometimes playful action of removing or extracting something. It implies a delicate touch and an intention to avoid causing damage or disruption.

Are there situations where "teasing away" would not be appropriate?

Yes, "teasing away" is not suitable for describing forceful or aggressive actions. It's best used when the process involves delicacy and care. For example, it wouldn't be appropriate to say someone "teasing away" at a locked door.

What are some alternative phrases I can use instead of "teasing away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "gently removing", "coaxing out", or "extracting carefully". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.