# bang away

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bang-away
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to work hard and steadily on a task for a long time. You use this when someone keeps trying to finish something difficult or noisy.

For teachers: To work persistently and vigorously at a task. While the phrasal verb is intransitive, it frequently takes a prepositional complement using 'at' to specify the activity.

## Examples

- He is banging away at his essay to meet the deadline.
- Despite the heat, the construction crew spent the whole day banging away at the old wall until it finally crumbled.
- While the rest of the team celebrated the launch, the lead developer was already banging away at the next set of features in his office.

## Pitfalls

- Not "She banged away her homework." but "She banged away at her homework." — When followed by a task or object, the preposition 'at' is necessary to connect the action to the noun.

## Usage notes

- This phrase is informal and usually implies a noisy or very energetic effort.
- Teaching tip: Use this to illustrate how 'away' as a particle can indicate continuous or persistent action, similar to 'work away' or 'scrub away'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.