drift away
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle away
Meanings
Slip out of awareness slowly
Why “away”? Something slowly becomes weaker until it is gone.
“I drifted away during the lecture.”
“Sam drifted away during the long call.”
Gradually become less close to someone
“They drifted away after school.”
“The cousins drifted away after they moved.”
Don't confuse with
Drift away means slip out of awareness slowly. Drift off means gradually fall asleep.
Drift away means gradually become less close to someone. Drift apart means slowly become less close to someone.
Test yourself
“I drifted away during the lecture.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
drift apart
A contrast learners often mix up
Slowly become less close to someone
drift off
A contrast learners often mix up
Gradually fall asleep
chip away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually reduce something a little at a time
die away
Same away pattern: fading
Lose intensity until silent
eat away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually destroy something by erosion or worry
ebb away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually weaken or recede
explain away
Same away pattern: fading
Give reasons that make a problem seem less serious
fade away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually become less visible, audible or strong
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