To try to make something unpleasant disappear by wishing it were gone, usually without taking real action.
To want something bad to just go away by wishing, even though that doesn't actually work.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To try to eliminate something unpleasant or difficult simply by wanting it not to exist, rather than dealing with it.
"You can't just wish away your debt — you have to make a plan and start paying it off."
"We cannot wish away the fact that we are always going to have neighbours."
— Nelson Mandela, speech on South Africa's foreign policy, 1990s.
To spend time wishing that a period of one's life would end quickly, thereby wasting that time.
"She spent her whole first year at university wishing it away, longing to be back home."
To send something away through the act of wishing — 'away' indicates removal.
To want something bad to just go away by wishing, even though that doesn't actually work.
Almost always used in negative or conditional constructions ('You can't wish it away', 'If only I could wish it away'). Implies that the person knows their wishing is futile but feels helpless. Not common as an imperative.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "wish away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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