move away
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle away
Meanings
Go to live in a different area or country
Why “away”? A person, object, look, or choice becomes more distant from its starting point.
“They moved away last year.”
“Leila moved away to Bristol.”
“After university, Sam moved away from his village.”
Stop using or supporting a particular idea or method
“The firm is moving away from coal.”
“The city is moving away from diesel buses.”
Don't confuse with
Move away means go to live in a different area or country. Move back means return to a position further from something.
Test yourself
“They moved away last year.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
move back
A contrast learners often mix up
Return to a position further from something
back away
Same away pattern: leaving
Move away or distance yourself, often from fear or caution
break away
Same away pattern: leaving
Escape from someone holding you; Leave a group to form a separate one; Pull ahead of others in a race
call away
Same away pattern: leaving
Be required to leave because of an urgent matter
chase away
Same away pattern: leaving
Force someone or something to leave by chasing
come away
Same away pattern: leaving
Leave a place with a particular feeling or impression
drag away
Same away pattern: leaving
Force someone to leave a place reluctantly
draw away
Same away pattern: leaving
Move ahead of competitors by extending the lead
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