takeaway

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The main point or lesson that you remember or act on after a meeting, talk or experience.

   Grammar: Countable: the key takeaway, three takeaways.

   Patterns

   • the key takeaway
   • a takeaway from something
   • my main takeaway

   My main takeaway from the workshop was to plan before I write.

   The key takeaway of the report is that costs are rising.

   What was your biggest takeaway from the trip?

2. 2nouncountableBritish

   Hot food bought from a restaurant and carried away to be eaten at home or elsewhere.

   Grammar: British usage. Americans normally say takeout.

   Patterns

   • order a takeaway
   • get a takeaway

   We were too tired to cook, so we ordered a takeaway.

   There is a good Chinese takeaway on the high street.

   Friday night is usually pizza or a curry takeaway.

3. 3nouncountableBritish

   A shop or restaurant that sells food to be taken away and eaten elsewhere.

   Grammar: British usage, often with a type of food: a kebab takeaway.

   Patterns

   • a fish-and-chip takeaway
   • the local takeaway

   The local takeaway stays open until midnight.

   She works at a pizza takeaway near the station.

   They opened a Thai takeaway in the old bank building.

Word forms

Common combinations

key takeaway

The key takeaway is to back up your files regularly.

main takeaway

Her main takeaway from the book was patience.

order a takeaway

Shall we order a takeaway tonight?

Chinese takeaway

There is a Chinese takeaway two streets away.

takeaway menu

I found a takeaway menu in the drawer.

Synonyms and how they differ

lesson

A lesson is something learned, often from a mistake, while a takeaway is the key point from a specific event.

insight

An insight is a deep understanding of something, whereas a takeaway can be a simple practical point.

takeout

Takeout is the American word for the food sense, whereas takeaway is British.

summary

A summary covers all main points, while a takeaway is usually just the one most important thing.

Word family

take away verb

to remove something or subtract it, written as two words

takeout noun

American term for food bought to eat elsewhere

take-home adjective

describes something you carry home, such as pay

Commonly confused: takeaway or take away?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “takeaway”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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