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make away

C1 formal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To run away or leave quickly, especially to escape from something.

Literal meaning: 'Make' (to move/go) + 'away' (at a distance, departing). Transparent in its directional sense.

Meanings

1 C1 formal

To leave quickly, especially to escape from a place or situation.

"The pickpocket made away before anyone realized what had happened."

Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 idiomatic formal

(Archaic/literary) To kill oneself; to commit suicide. Used reflexively: 'make away with oneself.'

"The tragedy notes that the young nobleman had made away before dawn."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Largely archaic or literary in modern English. In contemporary usage, 'make off' or 'get away' are far more natural. The reflexive form 'make away with oneself' is an old-fashioned euphemism for suicide and is sometimes encountered in older literary texts. ESL learners are unlikely to use this in everyday contexts.

Commonly used with

quickly suddenly before thieves suspect

Forms

Base
make away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
makes away
he/she/it
Past simple
made away
yesterday
Past participle
made away
have + pp
-ing form
making away
continuous

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Synonyms

make off flee get away run off escape bolt

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