walk away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "walk away from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate leaving a situation, relationship, or commitment behind. Example: "After much consideration, she decided to walk away from the toxic relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We'll walk away from opportunities".

The New York Times

I walk away from the baby.

The New York Times - Magazine

So we just walk away from those".

The New York Times

Who else might he walk away from?

The New Yorker

"Just walk away from this stinky corpse".

The New Yorker

to walk away from Omelas.

The Washington Post

Walk away from me now.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We walk away from a good deal.

Harvard University

"It's hard to walk away from that".

The New York Times

He cannot walk away from that.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Walk Away… …From your desk.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "walk away from" to convey a deliberate decision to abandon a situation or responsibility, especially when facing challenges or ethical dilemmas.

Common error

Avoid using "walk away from" when the context implies a need for perseverance or commitment. For example, don't say "walk away from" your responsibilities unless you intend to convey irresponsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "walk away from" functions primarily as a dynamic verb expressing an action of deliberate departure or abandonment. It indicates a subject consciously choosing to disengage from a situation, relationship, or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

33%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "walk away from" is a versatile phrasal verb signifying a deliberate decision to abandon or disengage from a situation, relationship, or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, carefully consider the specific context and intended tone before using it in formal writing. When conveying the idea of abandoning or disengaging, remember that there are many other semantically similar alternatives like "abandon", "leave behind" and "step away from" that could work in its place. Don't use "walk away from" when the context implies the need for perseverance or commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave behind

Similar meaning, but emphasizes the act of physically or metaphorically abandoning something.

abandon

A single-word alternative that directly conveys the sense of leaving something behind, whether physically or figuratively.

step away from

Suggests a more deliberate and often temporary disengagement from a situation or task.

disengage from

Focuses on ceasing involvement or interaction with something or someone.

withdraw from

Implies a formal or official retreat from an agreement, competition, or commitment.

opt out of

Suggests a choice to not participate in something, often a program or agreement.

pull back from

Indicates a retreat or reduction of involvement, often in a cautious or strategic manner.

back out of

Implies reneging on a prior commitment or agreement.

recede from

Suggests moving back from a position or opinion, often under pressure.

dissociate from

Highlights a separation in identity or association with something.

FAQs

How do I use "walk away from" in a sentence?

You can use "walk away from" to describe abandoning a situation, a relationship, or a deal. For instance, "She decided to "walk away from" the negotiation when it became clear that the other party was not acting in good faith."

What are some alternatives to "walk away from"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "abandon", "leave behind", or "step away from" as alternatives to "walk away from".

Is it correct to say "walk away from" in formal writing?

Yes, "walk away from" is acceptable in formal writing, though it's important to ensure that its connotation aligns with the intended message. In certain contexts, more formal alternatives like "withdraw from" may be preferable.

What does it mean to "walk away from" a deal?

To ""walk away from"" a deal means to abandon or reject the agreement, usually because the terms are unacceptable or the negotiation has reached an impasse. This implies a conscious decision to not proceed with the deal.