Phrasal verb
take away
Meanings
To remove something or carry it from a place.
To subtract one number or amount from another.
To buy cooked food to eat somewhere else.
Definition
To take away means to remove something from a place or person, or to subtract an amount.
Take away is a common phrasal verb meaning to remove or carry something from a place. It can also mean to subtract one number from another. In everyday conversation, it may refer to food that you buy and eat somewhere else. The exact meaning is usually clear from the context.
Examples
- I need to take away these empty boxes before the guests arrive.
- Could you take away 7 from 20 and tell me the result?
- She decided to take away noodles from the café and eat them at the park.
- They asked the staff to take away the extra chair to make more space.
Common mistake
Learners often forget to separate the verb and object when using a pronoun, saying "take away it" instead of "take it away."
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.