What are the definitions of “stow away”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 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.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “stow away”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb stow away is to hide in a vehicle, such as a ship, plane, or train, to travel without people knowing. This is often done to avoid paying for a ticket or to enter a country illegally. For example, a person might stow away on a ship to travel to another country without being detected.
What are the different verb forms of “stow away”?
| Root Verb | stow away |
| Third Person Singular Present | stows away |
| Present Participle | stowing away |
| Simple Past | stowed away |
| Past Participle | stowed 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.
Example
They are stowing away on the train to travel without a ticket.
Example
He stowed away on the airplane but was discovered by the crew.
Example
The items had been stowed away in the attic for years.
What kind of phrasal verb is “stow away”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“stow away” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
He stowed away on the ship to reach the new country.
Example
She stowed away in the truck to avoid being caught.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“stow away” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
He stowed away on the ship to reach the new country.
Example
She stowed away in the truck to avoid being caught.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “stow away”?
Good things to know
Does “stow away” have an informal or formal tone?
Stow away is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, news reports, and legal documents. The formality of the phrasal verb depends on the specific context in which it is used.
