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Phrasal verbs "sweep away" vs "throw away"

Differences between sweep away and throw away

Sweep away means to remove something completely or to get rid of it, often in a figurative sense. Throw away means to discard something that is no longer needed or useful.

Meanings and Definitions: sweep away vs throw away

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Sweep away

  • 1To become completely absorbed or carried away by something.

    I got quite swept away with the spirit of the moment.

  • 2To completely remove or destroy something, especially with force or speed.

    Many people died when floods swept their homes away.

Throw away

  • 1Discard something when no longer needed.

    I THREW the alarm clock AWAY because it had stopped working.

Usage Examples: sweep away, throw away in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

sweep away

Example

The strong wind swept away the leaves from the sidewalk.

Example

She sweeps away the dust from the floor every day.

throw away

Example

Please throw away the old newspapers.

Example

She throws away the spoiled food from the fridge.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Sweep away

wipe out

To completely destroy or eliminate something.

Example

The hurricane wiped out the entire town, leaving nothing but destruction behind.

erase from memory

To forget or remove something from one's memory or consciousness.

Example

She tried to erase the painful memories of her past relationship and move on with her life.

clear out

To remove or get rid of everything in a space or area.

Example

Before moving out, he had to clear out all his belongings from the apartment.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Throw away

get rid of

To dispose of or eliminate something that is no longer needed or useful.

Example

I need to get rid of these old clothes that don't fit me anymore.

toss out

To throw away or discard something.

Example

After finishing the meal, she tossed out the empty pizza box.

discard

To throw away or get rid of something that is no longer needed or useful.

Example

He decided to discard the broken vase instead of trying to fix it.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “sweep”

Differences in sweep away vs throw away: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: sweep away or throw away?

In daily conversation, people use throw away more often than sweep away. This is because throw away is used for more routine tasks such as throwing away trash or getting rid of old items. Sweep away is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about removing something completely or emotionally.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of sweep away and throw away

Sweep away and throw away are both 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 sweep away and throw away

The tone of sweep away and throw away can differ based on context. Sweep away often carries an emotional or dramatic tone when related to removing something completely, while throw away typically has a practical and casual tone, especially when referring to discarding objects.

sweep away & throw away: Synonyms and Antonyms

Sweep away

Synonyms

Throw away

Synonyms

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