shoo away
B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To get rid of something or someone by waving your hands or saying 'shoo!'
Meanings
1 A2 informal
To cause an animal to leave by making sounds or gestures, without physically touching it
"She shooed away the pigeons that had gathered around her bench."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 informal
To dismiss a person in a casual or slightly condescending way, signalling that they are not wanted
"The manager shooed away the junior staff so the executives could talk privately."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Most commonly used with animals (birds, insects, cats). When used with people, it sounds dismissive or slightly rude. The gesture is usually a flapping or waving motion of the hand.
Commonly used with
birds flies children insects cats tourists
Forms
Base
shoo away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shoos away
he/she/it
Past simple
shooed away
yesterday
Past participle
shooed away
have + pp
-ing form
shooing away
continuous
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