1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To give up legal rights or ownership by signing an official document.
"He signed away his rights to the invention without understanding what he was doing."
separable
sign away
B2 neutral separable transitive
To formally give up rights, property, or entitlements by signing a legal document.
In plain English
To give up something important (like a right or property) by signing a paper.
What does "sign away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To formally give up a large or important asset, often carelessly or under pressure.
"She felt she had signed away her future by agreeing to those contract terms."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To write your signature and send something away — the act of signing a document that removes your claim.
Actually means
To give up something important (like a right or property) by signing a paper.
Usage tip
Often carries a connotation of regret or loss — you are giving up something valuable, sometimes without fully realizing the consequences. Common in legal, business, and journalistic contexts. The object (rights, property) is often placed between 'sign' and 'away'.
Words that pair with "sign away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
rights property inheritance freedom land future
How to conjugate "sign away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sign away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
signs away
he/she/it
Past simple
signed away
yesterday
Past participle
signed away
have + pp
-ing form
signing away
continuous
Hear "sign away" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "sign away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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