wipe away

USAGE SUMMARY

"wipe away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when one wants to refer to the act of removing or cleaning something by wiping it. For example, "She wiped away the spilled milk with a paper towel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To wipe away what?

The Guardian - Books

Nothing would wipe away Beverly.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But does losing money wipe away sin?

The New York Times

Weidner had to wipe away tears.

The New Yorker

Two of the jurors seemed to wipe away tears.

The Washington Post

That would wipe away any gains made elsewhere.

The New York Times

The agreement on Tuesday will wipe away that verdict.

The New York Times

Shame might not adequately wipe away the feelings that linger.

The New York Times - Sports

You wipe away some wetness from underneath your nose.

The New York Times

We wipe away tears.

Huffington Post

You'll wipe away the tears.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wipe away" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed and the manner of removal. For example, "wipe away tears" implies emotional distress, while "wipe away the spill" suggests a cleaning action.

Common error

Avoid using "wipe away" excessively in figurative contexts where more nuanced verbs like "erase", "eliminate", or "obliterate" might be more appropriate. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "wipe away" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It describes the action of removing something, either physically or metaphorically, by means of a wiping motion or gesture. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

54%

News & Media

40%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wipe away" is a grammatically correct and very common phrasal verb used to describe the act of removing something with a wiping motion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from describing physical cleaning actions to metaphorical removals of emotions or memories. While versatile, it's important to consider more nuanced alternatives like "erase" or "eliminate" in certain figurative contexts to avoid repetitive writing. Predominantly found in Wiki and News & Media sources, this phrase offers a practical and straightforward way to communicate the action of removal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove

Implies taking something away, which can be physical or abstract.

erase

Focuses on the complete removal of something, often intangible, like a memory or a mistake.

clean off

Suggests removing dirt or residue from a surface through cleaning.

wash off

Specifically refers to removing something with water or another liquid.

clear away

Emphasizes the act of making something clear by removing obstacles or clutter.

mop up

Deals with the removal of a liquid spill.

eliminate

Highlights the complete and permanent removal of something undesirable.

sponge off

Refers to using a sponge to remove something from a surface.

obliterate

Implies destroying or erasing something completely, leaving no trace.

blot out

Suggests concealing or blocking something from view, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

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

You can use "wipe away" in a sentence to describe the act of removing something with a wiping motion, such as "She used a cloth to wipe away the dust" or "He tried to wipe away the memories of that day".

What are some alternatives to "wipe away"?

Some alternatives to "wipe away" include "erase", "remove", "clean off", or "clear away", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "wipe away at" instead of "wipe away"?

While you can "wipe at" something, adding "away" typically implies a more complete removal. "Wipe at" suggests a less thorough action. Therefore, the correctness depends on the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "wipe away" and "wash away"?

"Wipe away" typically involves physical contact and a wiping motion to remove something, while "wash away" implies removal by the action of water or another liquid. For example, you'd "wipe away" a smudge, but a flood might "wash away" debris.