carry away
B2Informal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To cause someone to lose self-control or normal judgment through intense emotion or enthusiasm.
To transport something physically from one place to another; to be overwhelmed by strong feelings or excitement to the point of acting impulsively.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Most commonly used figuratively in the passive voice ('be/get carried away') to describe loss of emotional control. The literal meaning is also standard but less frequent in everyday speech.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the phrase identically.
Connotations
Often implies a temporary, excitable state that might lead to mild regret afterward.
Frequency
Equally common and natural in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] carry [Object] away[Subject] be/get carried away (by/with [something])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't get carried away!”
- “Carried away with the fairies (UK informal, meaning overly idealistic)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to warn against over-enthusiasm in projections or spending: 'Let's not get carried away with this optimistic forecast.'
Academic
Used to critique excessive argumentation: 'The author is somewhat carried away by her own hypothesis.'
Everyday
Commonly used about shopping, celebrations, or arguments: 'I got carried away and bought three puddings.'
Technical
Rare; might appear in physics or engineering in its literal sense of transport by a force.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The floodwaters could carry away several cars.
- He tends to get carried away when discussing his favourite football team.
American English
- The current is strong enough to carry away a swimmer.
- She got completely carried away and baked four pies for just two guests.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He was in a carried-away state of euphoria after the win.
- There's no need for such carried-away enthusiasm.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children were carried away by the fun game.
- Don't get carried away! It's just a small party.
- I'm sorry I shouted; I got a bit carried away during the argument.
- The strong wind carried away our picnic blanket.
- The director warned the team not to get carried away with the initial success of the project.
- He was so carried away by the music that he didn't notice the time.
- Politicians must be careful not to be carried away by populist rhetoric.
- The novel's plot carries the reader away to a different century.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a strong RIVER current literally CARRYING someone AWAY downstream—they can't control where they're going. Emotion works the same way.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (that can move/transport a person).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'носить прочь'. The figurative equivalent is 'увлекаться', 'забываться'.
- Avoid confusing with 'carry out' (выполнять).
Common Mistakes
- *I carried away with the music. (Missing 'was/got': I *got* carried away with the music.)
- Using it actively for the emotional sense: *Her speech carried away the crowd. (Unidiomatic; prefer 'swept away' or 'enthraled').
Practice
Quiz
What does 'get carried away' MOST OFTEN imply?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in its literal sense ('carry the boxes away'). In its common figurative sense ('get carried away'), it is a fixed phrasal verb in the passive.
Yes, it can describe joyful enthusiasm ('We were carried away by the beautiful performance'), though it often carries a mild warning about excess.
'Absorbed' implies deep concentration, while 'carried away' implies being taken over by emotion, often leading to impulsive action.
It is neutral and acceptable in both informal speech and semi-formal writing (e.g., business, journalism). It is less common in very formal academic or legal prose.