1 A2 neutral
To place items into a container, cupboard, or storage space after use, often by folding or arranging them.
"After the holidays, we packed away all the Christmas decorations into labelled boxes."
separable
pack away
A2 neutral separable transitive
To put things into a container or storage space, especially by folding or arranging them neatly.
In plain English
Put things into a box, bag, or cupboard when you are finished using them.
What does "pack away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
(Informal) To eat a large quantity of food, often surprisingly so for one's size.
"I can't believe how much he packed away at the buffet — he had four plates!"
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pack something so that it goes away (into storage).
Actually means
Put things into a box, bag, or cupboard when you are finished using them.
Usage tip
Common in British and American English. Often used for seasonal items (e.g. Christmas decorations, summer clothes). Also used informally to mean eating a large amount of food.
Words that pair with "pack away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
decorations clothes toys equipment food tools
How to conjugate "pack away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pack away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
packs away
he/she/it
Past simple
packed away
yesterday
Past participle
packed away
have + pp
-ing form
packing away
continuous
Hear "pack away" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pack away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "pack away"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.