# file away

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

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

## Definition

You use this when you put a document or information in a specific place so you can find it later. It usually means putting papers in a folder or a drawer.

For teachers: To place a document or record into an organized storage system, such as a folder or cabinet. The verb is transitive and can also be used figuratively to describe storing information in the mind for future use.

## Examples

- I need to file away these receipts before I lose them.
- After the meeting, she carefully filed away the signed contracts in the cabinet behind her desk to ensure they remained secure.
- The archivist meticulously filed away the centuries-old correspondence, ensuring that each letter was preserved in a climate-controlled environment for future historical inquiry.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I filed away it." but "I filed it away." — When the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- This phrase is separable, meaning you can put the object between 'file' and 'away'.
- Teaching tip: Highlight the figurative use of 'filing something away' in one's memory, which is a common metaphorical extension in professional English.

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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.