Phrasal verb
drive away
Meanings
to force someone or something to leave, especially by frightening or threatening them
to make someone stop liking you or stop supporting something because of your behavior
to leave somewhere by driving a vehicle
Definition
To drive away means to make someone or something leave by using force, fear, or unpleasant behavior.
To drive away means to cause a person or animal to leave a place, often by frightening them or making the situation uncomfortable. It can also mean to make someone stop liking you or stop supporting something because of your actions. In some contexts, it can simply mean to leave in a car and go away from a place.
Examples
- I had to drive away the stray dogs from my yard.
- You will drive away customers if you ignore them at the counter.
- He drove away after dropping his sister off at school.
- She tried to drive away the pigeons from the balcony.
- They drove away quickly when the storm clouds rolled in.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse drive away (make leave) with drive off (leave suddenly or steal a vehicle), but they are not always interchangeable.
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.