# clear away

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/clear-away
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to tidy up

phrasal verb · CEFR A2

to remove things from a table or a room after you have finished using them.

For teachers: to remove objects from a surface or area to restore order or prepare for a different activity.

- After we finished dinner, the children helped clear away the dirty dishes.
- The catering staff worked efficiently to clear away the remains of the banquet before the evening's keynote speech began.

Usage: This phrasal verb is separable; you can say 'clear away the dishes' or 'clear the dishes away'.

### 2. to disappear

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

to go away or disappear, like clouds, mist, or a bad feeling.

For teachers: to dissipate or vanish; used of weather conditions, physical obstructions, or abstract states like confusion.

- The thick fog finally cleared away by noon, and the sun came out.
- Any lingering doubts about the project's feasibility cleared away once the initial quarterly results were published.

Usage: Used without a direct object.

## Examples

- Please clear away your toys before dinner.
- After the party ended, we spent an hour clearing away the empty bottles and plates.
- The waiter waited for the guests to finish their conversation before he began to clear away the remaining cutlery and glassware.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: contrast with 'clear out' (which implies emptying a container or room completely) and 'tidy up' (which is more general); 'clear away' specifically focuses on removing items from a surface.

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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.