make away
Low (primarily literary/archaic; 'make off' is far more common in modern usage)Literary, Archaic, Formal
Definition
Meaning
To leave a place or situation hastily, often to escape or avoid something.
To steal or take something illegally and quickly depart; to depart quickly from a situation, sometimes implying guilt or the need to avoid consequences.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost always used with 'with' (make away with) meaning to steal or kill. The intransitive use (simply 'make away') is now very rare and feels dated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both dialects. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or literary texts.
Connotations
Carries a somewhat dramatic or old-fashioned tone.
Frequency
Overwhelmingly superseded by phrasal verbs like 'make off', 'run away', 'flee', or 'escape' in contemporary speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Intransitive (make away)Transitive with 'with' (make away with something/someone)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make away with oneself (archaic for suicide)”
- “make away with the loot”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical or literary analysis.
Everyday
Extremely uncommon.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Seeing the guard approach, the intruder sought to make away through the garden.
- The foxes would often make away with chickens from the coop.
American English
- The suspect attempted to make away before the deputies could secure the area.
- Legend says the outlaw made away with a chest of gold coins.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat made away with the fish from the table.
- The children made away when they heard their mother calling.
- Upon hearing the alarm, the burglars made away in a waiting vehicle.
- The treasurer was accused of making away with the club's funds.
- The historical account describes how the conspirators made away under the cloak of night.
- He was driven to such despair that he threatened to make away with himself.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a thief in an old novel who must 'MAKE' his journey AWAY from the crime scene.
Conceptual Metaphor
ESCAPE IS A CREATED PATH (one 'makes' a path 'away').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the more common 'make off'. Avoid direct translation from Russian 'уделать' which is not equivalent.
- The phrase 'make away with' meaning 'to kill' is a specific, rare idiom.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in modern conversation sounds odd. *'He made away when he saw the police' is understandable but unnatural. Use 'He ran away...'
- Omitting 'with' when meaning to steal. *'He made away the money.' --> Correct: 'He made away *with* the money.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most natural modern equivalent of 'make away'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic or literary. 'Make off' or 'run away' are standard modern choices.
It has two main meanings: 1) to steal something and escape with it, 2) (archaic) to kill someone or oneself.
Yes, but it is very rare and intransitive, meaning simply to flee or depart hastily. The transitive use requires 'with'.
Both imply escape, but 'make away' often adds a nuance of seizing something (with 'with') or has a more deliberate, formal tone. 'Get away' is neutral and vastly more common.