Phrasal verb
jaw away
Definition
phrasal verb. to talk for a long time, especially about things that are not very important. You use this when someone is chatting continuously.
phrasal verb. To talk incessantly or at length, often in a casual or tedious manner. The particle 'away' functions as an aspectual marker indicating continuous or persistent action.
Examples
“They sat there jawing away for hours about their old school days.”
“I tried to finish my book, but my seatmate on the train kept jawing away about his garden for the entire journey.”
“While the committee members jawed away about minor budget details, the chairman grew increasingly impatient with the lack of progress on the main agenda.”
Examples
simple
“They sat there jawing away for hours about their old school days.”
contextual
“I tried to finish my book, but my seatmate on the train kept jawing away about his garden for the entire journey.”
complex
“While the committee members jawed away about minor budget details, the chairman grew increasingly impatient with the lack of progress on the main agenda.”
Usage
Usually used in the continuous form to emphasize the duration of the talking.
Teaching tip
Compare with other 'verb + away' constructions like 'chat away' or 'work away' where 'away' indicates persistence or enthusiasm.
Pitfall
He was jawing away the secret.
He was jawing away about the secret.
The verb is intransitive in this sense; you cannot 'jaw away' an object like a secret, you must use 'about' or 'on about'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
away
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
jaw + 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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