Phrasal verb
drive away
Definition
phrasal verb. to make someone or something leave, or to make them want to go somewhere else. You use this when an action or situation causes people to stay away.
phrasal verb. to force a person, animal, or group to leave a place or to stop supporting something. Transitive and optionally separable; when the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.
Examples
“The loud construction noise drove away the birds.”
“If the company continues to lower its quality, it will drive away its most loyal customers.”
“The senator's controversial remarks on trade policy served only to drive away the moderate voters he desperately needed for the upcoming election.”
Examples
simple
“The loud construction noise drove away the birds.”
contextual
“If the company continues to lower its quality, it will drive away its most loyal customers.”
complex
“The senator's controversial remarks on trade policy served only to drive away the moderate voters he desperately needed for the upcoming election.”
Usage
This verb is transitive and can be separated by the object.
Teaching tip
Focus on the 'force' aspect of 'drive' to help students distinguish it from simply 'leaving'.
Pitfall
The smell drove away me.
The smell drove me away.
Pronoun objects must be placed between the verb and the particle in this phrasal verb.
Phrasal verb
Particles
away
Separability
optional
Pattern
drive + (object) + away
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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