Phrasal verb
carry away
Meanings
to remove or take something away from a place
to become overly excited or emotional and lose self-control
Definition
To carry away means to remove something by taking it with you, or to get so excited that you lose self-control.
Carry away most often means to take something away from a place, usually by holding it or transporting it. It can also mean to become so excited or emotional that you stop thinking clearly or behaving calmly. The context usually makes it clear which meaning is intended.
Examples
- I got carried away and stayed up far too late finishing the project.
- Please don’t carry away the chairs; we still need them for the meeting.
- She got carried away with the applause and started bowing again and again.
- They carried away the trash after the picnic and left the park tidy.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse “carry away” (remove or lose control) with “carry on” (continue) and use the wrong phrasal verb.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.