clear away
A2 neutral separable both
In simple words
To take away the things on a table or in a space so it looks neat and empty.
Literal meaning: To move things away to create a clear, open space.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To remove dishes, utensils, or leftovers from the table after a meal.
"As soon as dinner was finished, the children helped to clear away the plates."
Grammar: separable
2 A2 neutral
To remove objects, obstacles, or clutter from an area to make it tidy or accessible.
"Volunteers worked all morning to clear away the fallen branches after the storm."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Very common at mealtimes (clear away the plates/dishes). Also used for obstacles, debris, and general clutter. Often implies removing things that are finished with or no longer needed.
Commonly used with
plates dishes cups debris clutter snow obstacles
Forms
Base
clear away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
clears away
he/she/it
Past simple
cleared away
yesterday
Past participle
cleared away
have + pp
-ing form
clearing away
continuous
Understand "clear away" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "clear away" on Looplines