1 B2 neutral
To move away physically from someone or something out of fear or revulsion.
"The child shrrank away from the barking dog, pressing herself against the wall."
inseparable
shrink away
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To move away from someone or something out of fear or disgust, or to gradually disappear or diminish.
In plain English
To slowly move away from something because you are scared or uncomfortable, or to get smaller and smaller until gone.
What does "shrink away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To gradually diminish or disappear, especially of a feeling or quality.
"Her confidence shrank away as the audience fell silent and stared at her."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To shrink (become smaller) and move away — fairly transparent.
Actually means
To slowly move away from something because you are scared or uncomfortable, or to get smaller and smaller until gone.
Usage tip
Can be used both literally (physically moving away) and figuratively (confidence or hope shrinking away). The emotional sense is common in literary writing. Does not take a direct object.
Words that pair with "shrink away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
fear horror touch contact darkness memory
How to conjugate "shrink away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
shrink away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shrinks away
he/she/it
Past simple
shrinked away
yesterday
Past participle
shrinked away
have + pp
-ing form
shrinking away
continuous
Hear "shrink away" in the wild
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Keep exploring
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