1 B1 informal
To keep hitting, punching, or striking repeatedly and with energy, without holding back.
"The boxer was told to just swing away and not worry about defending."
inseparable
swing away
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To swing continuously or with full effort, or to move away in a swinging arc.
In plain English
To keep on hitting or swinging with energy, or to swing to one side and move away.
What does "swing away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To rotate or move in an arc away from a particular position or point.
"The crane's arm swung away from the building and lowered the girder to the ground."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To swing (rotate on a pivot or arc) in a direction away from a starting point.
Actually means
To keep on hitting or swinging with energy, or to swing to one side and move away.
Usage tip
In informal usage, 'swing away' is often used as an encouraging instruction, meaning 'go ahead and hit/try.' In physical contexts it describes the arc-like departure of something or someone.
Words that pair with "swing away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
bat club fist door crane opinion
How to conjugate "swing away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
swing away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
swings away
he/she/it
Past simple
swinged away
yesterday
Past participle
swinged away
have + pp
-ing form
swinging away
continuous
Hear "swing away" in the wild
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Other ways to say "swing away"
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