1 B1 neutral
Of a liquid: to be gradually absorbed into the ground or surrounding material and disappear.
"The heavy rain eventually soaked away into the garden soil overnight."
inseparable
soak away
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
Describes liquid gradually dispersing or being absorbed into the ground or surrounding material.
In plain English
When water slowly disappears by going into the ground or into something nearby.
What does "soak away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
Of a feeling or state: to gradually fade and disappear (figurative extension).
"After a long bath, all her stress seemed to soak away."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To soak (absorb liquid) and go away (leave/disappear) — fairly transparent.
Actually means
When water slowly disappears by going into the ground or into something nearby.
Usage tip
Most often used in British English to describe rainwater or runoff dispersing into soil. Also used in the phrase 'soakaway' (one word) as a British English noun for a drainage pit.
Words that pair with "soak away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
rainwater water runoff moisture liquid
How to conjugate "soak away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
soak away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
soaks away
he/she/it
Past simple
soaked away
yesterday
Past participle
soaked away
have + pp
-ing form
soaking away
continuous
Hear "soak away" in the wild
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