Differences between put away and stow away
Put away usually means to tidy up or store something in its proper place, whereas stow away generally means to hide or conceal something or someone.
Meanings and Definitions: put away vs stow away
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Put away
- 1Put something back in the correct place.
He PUT the dictionary BACK on the shelf after he'd finished the crossword.
- 2Put someone in prison.
The judge PUT him AWAY for ten years for robbery.
Stow away
- 1Hide in a vehicle to travel without people knowing.
She STOWED AWAY on the plane but was caught when it landed.
- 2Store something in a safe place.
We STOWED it AWAY in the garage to keep it dry.
Usage Examples: put away, stow away in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
put away
Example
Please put away your toys when you're done playing.
Example
She puts away her clothes after doing laundry.
stow away
Example
He decided to stow away on the cargo ship to reach the other side of the ocean.
Example
She stows away in the truck to avoid being caught by the police.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Put away
tidy up
To clean or organize a space or objects.
Example
After the party, she spent an hour tidying up the living room and putting away the decorations.
To keep something in a particular place for future use.
Example
She stored her winter clothes in the attic until next season.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Stow away
To hide or keep something or someone secret or out of sight.
Example
She concealed the surprise gift in her closet until her friend's birthday.
To put something or someone in a place where it cannot be seen or found.
Example
He hid the key under the doormat so his sister could get in the house.
To hide or store something in a safe or secure place.
Example
The spy secreted the classified documents in a hidden compartment in his briefcase.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “put”
Differences in put away vs stow away: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: put away or stow away?
In daily conversation, people use put away more often than stow away. This is because put away is used for more daily tasks and routines such as cleaning up or organizing things. Stow away is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about hiding something or someone. So, while both phrases are used, put away is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of put away and stow away
Put away and stow away are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of put away and stow away
The tone of put away and stow away can differ based on context. Put away often carries a practical or helpful tone when related to tidying up or organizing, while stow away typically has a secretive or sneaky tone, especially when referring to hiding something or someone.
