melt away
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle away
Meanings
Disappear gradually, like melting ice
Why “away”? Something slowly becomes weaker until it is gone.
“Her fears melted away.”
“The tension melted away after the apology.”
“People melted away from the square as rain began.”
Don't confuse with
Melt away means disappear gradually, like melting ice. Melt down means heat metal or wax until it becomes liquid.
Test yourself
“Her fears melted away.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
melt down
A contrast learners often mix up
Heat metal or wax until it becomes liquid
chip away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually reduce something a little at a time
die away
Same away pattern: fading
Lose intensity until silent
drift away
Same away pattern: fading
Slip out of awareness slowly; Gradually lose contact with a person or group
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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