1 C1 formal
To carry or take something away from a place, especially a prize, trophy, or reward. (Formal/literary)
"The young pianist bore away the first prize at the international competition."
separable
bear away
C1 formal separable transitive/intransitive
To carry or take something away, especially as a prize or reward; in sailing, to steer away from the wind.
In plain English
To take something away with you, often something you have won.
What does "bear away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
In sailing, to steer the vessel away from the wind, causing the ship to move on a broader course.
"The helmsman bore away from the wind as the squall approached."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bear (carry) something away from a place.
Actually means
To take something away with you, often something you have won.
Usage tip
Chiefly literary or formal in its figurative 'win and carry off' sense. In sailing, 'bear away' means to steer the vessel away from the direction of the wind (fall off the wind). Both senses are relatively uncommon in modern everyday speech.
Words that pair with "bear away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
prize trophy medal honours wind course
How to conjugate "bear away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bear away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bears away
he/she/it
Past simple
bore away
yesterday
Past participle
born/borne away
have + pp
-ing form
bearing away
continuous
Hear "bear away" in the wild
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