# drive away

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

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

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The smell drove away me." but "The smell drove me away." — Pronoun objects must be placed between the verb and the particle in this phrasal verb.

## Usage notes

- 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'.

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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.