What does "come away" mean (sense 1)?

To leave a place or experience with a particular feeling, impression, or result. Example: "I came away from the interview feeling much more confident than I had expected."

What does "come away" mean (sense 2)?

For a piece or part to become detached from a surface. Example: "The wallpaper came away easily once she applied the steam."

What does "come away" mean (sense 3)?

To leave a place, sometimes used as a command or invitation to move away from somewhere. Example: "Come away from that cliff edge — it's not safe!"

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come away

B1 neutral intransitive

To leave a place or situation, especially with a particular feeling or result; or for a part of something to become detached.

In plain English

To leave somewhere with a feeling or idea; or for a piece to fall off something.

What does "come away" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B1 idiomatic neutral

common

To leave a place or experience with a particular feeling, impression, or result.

"I came away from the interview feeling much more confident than I had expected."

inseparable

2 B1 neutral

common

For a piece or part to become detached from a surface.

"The wallpaper came away easily once she applied the steam."

inseparable

3 A2 neutral

common

To leave a place, sometimes used as a command or invitation to move away from somewhere.

"Come away from that cliff edge — it's not safe!"

“

Come away, come away, death, / And in sad cypress let me be laid.
— William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene 4

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

Transparent in the physical detachment sense: to come free and away from the surface.

Actually means

To leave somewhere with a feeling or idea; or for a piece to fall off something.

Usage tip

The 'leave with an impression' sense is very common and important for B1+ learners: 'I came away feeling inspired.' The 'become detached' sense is also frequent: 'The handle came away in my hand.' Often followed by 'from' + place or 'with' + result.

Words that pair with "come away"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

feeling impression sense convinced handle skin disappointed

How to conjugate "come away"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

come away

I/you/we/they

3rd person

comes away

he/she/it

Past simple

came away

yesterday

Past participle

come away

have + pp

-ing form

coming away

continuous

Hear "come away" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "come away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "come" All phrasal verbs with "away" More B1-level phrasal verbs