clear away
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle away
Meanings
Remove items to tidy a space
Why “away”? A broom sweeps aside. Unwanted items are pushed out of the scene.
“A cafe worker cleared away Maya and Leo's empty plates during their shopping break.”
“Leo cleared away the dinner plates while Maya filled the sink.”
“The waiter cleared away the plates.”
Don't confuse with
Clear away means remove items to tidy a space. Clear off means leave a place quickly, often when told to.
Test yourself
“A cafe worker cleared away Maya and Leo's empty plates during their shopping break.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
clear off
A contrast learners often mix up
Leave a place quickly, often when told to; Remove items from a surface; Pay a debt completely
blow away
Same away pattern: removal
Be carried away by the wind; Greatly impress someone
brush away
Same away pattern: removal
Push aside dismissively
carry away
Same away pattern: removal
Become so excited or absorbed that you lose self-control
cart away
Same away pattern: removal
Take something or someone away in a vehicle, often without ceremony
do away
Same away pattern: removal
Remove something completely or abolish it; Murder someone (informal)
give away
Same away pattern: removal
Give something free of charge to someone; Reveal a secret, often unintentionally; Formally hand a bride to the groom at a wedding
shoo away
Same away pattern: removal
Drive away with gestures or noise
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