Phrasal verb
inch away
Definition
phrasal verb. to move very slowly and carefully away from something. You use this when you want to move a tiny bit at a time, often because you are nervous or trying to be quiet.
phrasal verb. To move gradually or by small degrees away from a point or person. This phrasal verb is intransitive and typically describes cautious, incremental movement.
Examples
“She tried to inch away from the sleeping cat.”
“When the stranger started shouting, the people at the bus stop began to inch away to find a safer spot.”
“The diplomat attempted to inch away from the controversial topic, carefully steering the conversation toward more neutral ground without alerting the persistent journalists.”
Examples
simple
“She tried to inch away from the sleeping cat.”
contextual
“When the stranger started shouting, the people at the bus stop began to inch away to find a safer spot.”
complex
“The diplomat attempted to inch away from the controversial topic, carefully steering the conversation toward more neutral ground without alerting the persistent journalists.”
Usage
This phrase is often followed by 'from' to show what you are moving away from.
Teaching tip
Help students visualize the movement by explaining that an 'inch' is a very small unit of measurement, making the movement tiny and slow.
Pitfall
He inched away the edge of the cliff.
He inched away from the edge of the cliff.
Learners often omit the preposition 'from' when 'inch away' is used to describe moving oneself.
Phrasal verb
Particles
away
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
inch + 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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