zipped away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "zipped away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something moving quickly or disappearing suddenly. Example: "As soon as the meeting ended, she zipped away to catch her train."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

She lay on the track — chiseled and bawling — as the other women zipped away.

The New Yorker

He leaned over and whispered in my ear, 'Mr. Grillo, I agree completely with everything that you are doing.' Then he zipped away.

The New Yorker

Vanishing energy, for example, could be a particle sneaking off into another dimension, or merely one that has zipped away in boring, normal spacetime without leaving a trace, because the machine is not equipped to notice it.

The Economist

Armstrong patiently rode in back of Roberto Heras, a Spanish teammate, for the final five kilometers, then zipped away from Heras and Joseba Beloki, a Spaniard with the ONCE team, to cross the line without challenge for a seven-second victory.

The New York Times - Sports

Still Spurs continued to pour forward - Lennon zipped away from Patrice Evra and freed Defoe in the penalty area but at the crucial moment the England striker hesitated, allowing Ferdinand to appear from nowhere to snuff out the danger.

BBC

In fact, both teams captured the positrons and antiprotons in side-by-side clouds in a so-called nested Penning trap essentially one Penning trap inside another and then used a gentle electric field to slosh the antiprotons into the cloud of positrons, making antihydrogen atoms that quickly zipped away and disintegrated on contact with normal atoms.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The last ball of a trying spell also zips away for four.

The Guardian - Sport

"Zip away!" came the call from below, and I vaulted into the unknown.

The New York Times - Travel

Downed pilots could zip away on an electrified 21-speed bike instead of waiting to be captured.

The New York Times - Tech

Windows glide down and necks crane out as the occupants guiltily ogle the scantily clad maiden before zipping away.

The New York Times

If Mark Damazer had stayed as the brilliantly successful controller of Radio 4, rather than zipping away to be master of St Peter's, he'd have been an obvious contender.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "zipped away" to vividly describe a swift and often unexpected departure or movement. It's particularly effective when emphasizing speed and suddenness in narrative writing.

Common error

Avoid using "zipped away" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "departed quickly" or "moved swiftly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

Zipped away functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of quickly and suddenly departing or moving. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing movements of people, objects, and even abstract entities like antihydrogen atoms.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science & Research

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "zipped away" is a phrasal verb used to vividly describe quick and sudden departures or movements. While grammatically correct and understandable, according to Ludwig, it is more suited for informal or narrative contexts than formal or professional writing. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, its primary function is to add a dynamic quality to descriptions of movement. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science & Research and Wiki sources and therefore it tends to be neutral in register. For alternatives, consider phrases like "darted off" or "rushed away" for similar meanings, but choose based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

darted off

Suggests a sudden and rapid movement, often in a specific direction, implying agility.

rushed away

Implies a hurried departure, often due to urgency or needing to be somewhere quickly.

sped off

Indicates a very fast departure, often in a vehicle, highlighting speed and quickness.

hurried off

Similar to "rushed away" but may imply slightly less urgency or a more deliberate pace.

whizzed off

Suggests a fast and smooth departure, possibly with a sound or a sense of effortless speed.

slipped away

Implies a discreet or unnoticed departure, often with the intention of avoiding attention.

took off

A general term for departing quickly, either on foot or in a vehicle, lacking specific nuances.

bolted away

Suggests a sudden and frightened departure, often due to fear or surprise.

vanished quickly

Emphasizes the sudden disappearance more than the speed of movement. It implies a complete disappearance.

disappeared rapidly

Similar to "vanished quickly" but might also imply disappearing out of sight in a measurable time.

FAQs

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

You can use "zipped away" to describe a quick or sudden departure. For example: "As soon as the meeting ended, she "zipped away" to catch her train."

What are some alternatives to "zipped away"?

Alternatives to "zipped away" include "darted off", "rushed away", or "sped off". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "zipped away" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "zipped away" is generally more suitable for informal or narrative writing. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "departed quickly" or "moved swiftly".

What is the difference between "zipped away" and "slipped away"?

"Zipped away" emphasizes speed and suddenness, while "slipped away" implies a discreet or unnoticed departure, often with the intention of avoiding attention.