work away
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To just keep on working without stopping.
Literal meaning: To work while moving 'away' — the adverb adds a sense of continuous motion or continuation.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To continue working steadily and diligently for an extended period.
"She worked away at the report all afternoon and finally finished it just before dinner."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
To work in a different location, away from one's home, often for extended periods.
"My dad worked away during the week and only came home on weekends."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Often used with 'at' or 'on' after it ('working away at her essay'). Conveys a sense of quiet, diligent, sustained effort. Can sound affectionate or admiring when describing someone's work ethic. Also commonly used for a person who travels to a different location for work ('He works away a lot').
Commonly used with
quietly steadily happily busily diligently all day
Forms
Base
work away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
works away
he/she/it
Past simple
worked away
yesterday
Past participle
worked away
have + pp
-ing form
working away
continuous
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