take away

What does "take away" mean?

1. To remove something or someone from a place
2. To subtract (mathematics)
3. To diminish or reduce something
4. To buy food to eat elsewhere (British English)

Examples

• The waiter came to take away our plates.
• If you take away 5 from 10, you get 5.
• Nothing can take away from her achievements.
• The new building takes away from the view.
• Shall we get a takeaway tonight?

How to use it

The 'takeaway' (noun) refers to the main point or lesson from something. 'Take away from' can mean to diminish the value of something.

Word order

Separable: 'take something away' or 'take away something'

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• take off

  To remove clothing or accessories

• take on

  To accept a responsibility, job, or challenge

• take up

  To start a new hobby, activity, or interest

• take over

  To gain control of something (company, position, responsibility)

• take out

  To remove something from a place

• take back

  To return something to a store