shy away
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To step back or stay away because you feel scared or unsure.
Literal meaning: To move away suddenly like a shy or startled animal — the literal image is of a horse shying at a sudden noise.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
Of an animal, especially a horse, to suddenly move away from something frightening.
"The horse shied away when the car horn blared nearby."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To avoid doing something or being in a situation because of nervousness or lack of confidence.
"She tends to shy away whenever someone points a camera at her."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Often used of animals (especially horses) reacting to sudden movement or sound. In figurative use, typically followed by 'from'. Used to describe habitual avoidance rather than a single sudden action.
Commonly used with
horse camera spotlight confrontation challenge commitment
Forms
Base
shy away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shies away
he/she/it
Past simple
shied away
yesterday
Past participle
shied away
have + pp
-ing form
shying away
continuous
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