Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Understanding 'Look Away': Definition & Usage

"When truth becomes unbearable, many choose to look away, seeking solace in ignorance rather than facing the discomfort of reality's glare."

📖 Definition

To deliberately turn one's gaze in another direction, often to avoid seeing something distressing or uncomfortable.

Examples in context

She had to look away as the disturbing images flashed on the screen.
We can't continue to look away from the growing crisis.
He looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment.

📖 Definition

To deliberately turn one's gaze in another direction, often to avoid seeing something distressing or uncomfortable.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The phrasal verb 'look away' cannot be separated by any other words.

Neutral

This phrasal verb is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

It does not require a direct object to convey complete meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	look away	I often look away during horror films.
Past Simple	looked away	She looked away when the gruesome scene appeared.
Present Continuous	looking away	He was looking away, trying to avoid confrontation.
Present Perfect	have looked away	We have looked away too often from these issues.

💡 When to Use

Avoiding distressing sights

Use 'look away' when someone intentionally avoids looking at something unpleasant or uncomfortable.

Example: "He looked away from the frightening scene."

Denying uncomfortable truths

This phrase can express ignoring a harsh reality or truth.

Example: "Many people look away from environmental issues."

Creating suspense or mystery

In storytelling, use 'look away' to add secrecy or mystery by avoiding direct observation.

Example: "She looked away, hiding her true emotions."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect separation

❌ Wrong: He looked the news away.

✅ Correct: He looked away from the news.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'look away' cannot be separated.

Using with direct object

❌ Wrong: Look away it.

✅ Correct: Look away from it.

💡 Tip: Always use 'from' when referencing the object.

Using in intransitive context

❌ Wrong: Please look it away.

✅ Correct: Please look away.

💡 Tip: 'Look away' does not use a direct object.

Practice

LOOK AWAY - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

She had to look away as the disturbing images flashed on the screen.
Tiny Houses Hub: Digital Revolution
2
Listen to example

We can't continue to look away from the growing crisis.
Tiny Houses Hub: Digital Revolution
3
Listen to example

He looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Tiny Houses Hub: Digital Revolution

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

avert turn away

Antonyms

confront

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"During horror movies, many people choose to ___."

look up

look away

look down

look in

In Context

During the tumultuous years of the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939, a photojournalist named Robert Capa arrived in Spain, determined to capture the raw truth of the conflict. At first, many soldiers and civilians alike tended to look away from his camera, uncomfortable with having their pain immortalized. Yet Capa's insistence on documenting the brutal reality was relentless. In November 1937, while capturing images in the small town of Teruel during a fierce battle, Capa witnessed soldiers who, amidst chaos and bloodshed, couldn't look away from the devastation around them. The overwhelming fear and determination in their eyes were seared into his memory and film. Despite the personal risk, Capa continued his work, believing the world needed to confront the horrors of war. His photographs, later published in magazines worldwide, compelled many who had previously chosen to look away from the grim reality of foreign conflicts to finally acknowledge and act. Capa's determination paid off, illustrating the profound impact of photojournalism in an era where indifference was often the norm. His legacy endures, reminding us of the importance of witnessing truth and the courage it takes not to look away.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Look Away

What is the origin of look away?

The phrasal verb 'look away' is primarily rooted in English, emerging in the 19th century as visual media proliferated and people had more exposure to uncomfortable scenes they might choose to avoid.

Can look away be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'look away' is considered neutral and can be effectively used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for varying types of communication.

What is the difference between look away and avert?

'Look away' is often used casually to describe avoiding seeing something, while 'avert' is slightly more formal and can imply an action taken to prevent occurrence or harm.

Browse All Tiny House Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

LOOK AWAY - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Look Away

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega