walk away

USAGE SUMMARY

"walk away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that someone leave a situation or that you intend to do so yourself. For example, "I was tired of the fight, so I decided to just walk away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Walk away.

The New York Times

"You can't walk away.

The New York Times - Books

"I could walk away.

Independent

■ You will walk away.

The New York Times - Sports

'Walk away,' mouthed Yvonne.

The Guardian - Travel

Some walk away.

The New York Times

He could walk away.

The New Yorker

I just walk away.

The New Yorker

To walk away.

The New Yorker

His advice: "Walk away".

The New York Times - Tech

I couldn't just walk away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "walk away" to convey the act of leaving a situation, especially when facing conflict or difficulty. It suggests a decision to disengage rather than confront.

Common error

Avoid using "walk away" when the situation requires active engagement or resolution. While disengaging can be wise, it's not always the appropriate response, especially when others are depending on you.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walk away" functions primarily as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the act of physically departing from a place or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a standard English construction, often suggesting a decision to disengage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

37%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "walk away" is a very common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of leaving or disengaging from a situation. As the Ludwig AI analysis confirms, it's widely accepted in standard English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it carries a neutral tone and serves to communicate withdrawal, often as a means of avoiding conflict or ending involvement. When using "walk away", it's important to consider whether disengagement is the most appropriate response, as active engagement may be necessary in some cases. Consider alternatives like "withdraw" or "retreat" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove oneself

A more formal way of saying to leave a place or situation.

withdraw

Indicates a more formal or strategic retreat from a situation.

disengage

Suggests a deliberate act of separating oneself from involvement.

retreat

Implies moving back or away from a dangerous or unfavorable position.

back out

Indicates withdrawing from a commitment or agreement.

step back

Indicates taking a break or reducing involvement in a situation.

bow out

Suggests a graceful or planned exit from a competition or commitment.

quit

Suggests a sudden or definite act of leaving or stopping something.

leave behind

Implies abandoning something or someone.

abandon

Suggests a complete and often permanent desertion.

FAQs

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

You can use "walk away" to describe leaving a situation, often to avoid conflict or difficulty. For example, "He decided to "walk away" from the argument rather than escalate it."

What are some alternatives to saying "walk away"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "withdraw", "retreat", or "disengage" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to "walk away" from a problem?

While "walking away" can be a strategic choice in some situations, it's not always the best solution. Consider the potential consequences and whether active engagement might be more effective.

What's the difference between "walk away" and "run away"?

"Walk away" suggests a more controlled and deliberate departure, while "run away" often implies fear or panic. The choice depends on the specific context and the emotional state being conveyed.