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Meaning & use

stealing away

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UK/ˌstiːlɪŋ əˈweɪ/
US/ˌstiːlɪŋ əˈweɪ/

“stealing away” is a form of “steal away”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. phrasephrasal verb

    leaving a place quietly and secretly, often to avoid being noticed or to be alone with someone

    Grammar: Used as the -ing form of 'steal away'; it can describe an action in progress or a repeated habit.

    Patterns

    • stealing away from somewhere
    • stealing away to do something

    The two lovers were stealing away from the party to talk in the garden.

    She kept stealing away from her desk to check her phone.

    He remembered stealing away from the house before dawn.

  2. phrasephrasal verbfigurative

    gradually disappearing or being lost, especially in a way that is hard to notice

    Grammar: Often used with abstract things like time, hope, or feeling; no object is needed.

    Patterns

    • stealing away from someone
    • stealing away from something

    The daylight was stealing away as they walked home.

    His confidence seemed to be stealing away after each mistake.

    The years were stealing away, and she still hadn't traveled.

Common combinations

steal away from
They stole away from the crowded room without saying goodbye.
steal away to
He stole away to the library to study in peace.
steal away quietly
She stole away quietly so as not to wake the baby.
steal away together
The couple stole away together for a weekend in the mountains.

Synonyms and how they differ

slip away
Similar but often suggests leaving quickly and smoothly, sometimes without any secrecy.
sneak off
More informal and emphasizes doing something without permission or while others are not looking.
withdraw
More formal and neutral; it does not always suggest secrecy.

Opposites

arriveappear

Word family

steal verb
To take something that is not yours without permission.
stealth noun
The quality of moving or acting quietly and secretly.
stealthy adjective
Moving or acting quietly and secretly.

Commonly confused: stealing away or steeling away?

stealing away vs steeling away

'Steeling' means making yourself brave or ready for something difficult; it is not related to leaving quietly.

Practice

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