claw away
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To keep scratching at something, or to keep trying very hard to get somewhere.
Literal meaning: To use claws or fingers to scratch repeatedly in a direction away from oneself.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To scratch or scrape at a surface repeatedly and with effort.
"The dog clawed away at the back door until someone let it in."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To work or struggle persistently toward a goal, often from a disadvantaged position.
"The underdog team clawed away all match and finally equalized in the last minute."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Can be used literally (an animal clawing at a surface) or figuratively (working desperately to achieve a goal). The figurative use conveys effort and desperation.
Commonly used with
surface ground top lead advantage position
Forms
Base
claw away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
claws away
he/she/it
Past simple
clawed away
yesterday
Past participle
clawed away
have + pp
-ing form
clawing away
continuous
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