shrink away
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To slowly move away from something because you are scared or uncomfortable, or to get smaller and smaller until gone.
Literal meaning: To shrink (become smaller) and move away — fairly transparent.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To move away physically from someone or something out of fear or revulsion.
"The child shrrank away from the barking dog, pressing herself against the wall."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To gradually diminish or disappear, especially of a feeling or quality.
"Her confidence shrank away as the audience fell silent and stared at her."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Can be used both literally (physically moving away) and figuratively (confidence or hope shrinking away). The emotional sense is common in literary writing. Does not take a direct object.
Commonly used with
fear horror touch contact darkness memory
Forms
Base
shrink away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shrinks away
he/she/it
Past simple
shrinked away
yesterday
Past participle
shrinked away
have + pp
-ing form
shrinking away
continuous
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