What Does “Drive sb away” Mean?
“Drive sb away” means to cause someone to leave a place or situation, usually because of unpleasant behavior or circumstances.
Introduction
The phrase “drive sb away” is a common phrasal verb in English that describes making someone leave a place or stop being involved in something. This can happen because of bad behavior, fear, or discomfort. Understanding the drive sb away meaning helps learners express situations where someone is forced or encouraged to leave. It is often used in everyday conversations, stories, and descriptions of personal or professional experiences. Knowing how to use this phrase correctly will improve your communication skills and make your English sound more natural.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: drive somebody away
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to make someone leave because of bad conditions or behavior
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Drive sb away” is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it needs an object (someone who is driven away).
This phrasal verb is inseparable; the object always comes after the phrase.
- Correct pattern: drive + somebody + away
- Example: The noise drove the customers away.
How to Use “Drive sb away”?
You use “drive sb away” when talking about situations where someone leaves because of something unpleasant. This can relate to people, animals, or even ideas. It can describe emotional, physical, or social reasons for leaving.
Common uses include:
- Unfriendly behavior driving friends away.
- Bad service driving customers away from a business.
- Fear or danger driving people away from a place.
Examples
Imagine a noisy café where customers feel uncomfortable. You could say, “The loud music drove the customers away.”
- The strong smell of chemicals drove the workers away from the factory.
- His rude comments drove his friends away.
- Heavy rain drove the hikers away before they reached the summit.
- The new rules drove many members away from the club.
Drive sb away in a sentence often shows a cause and effect relationship.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the structure or use the wrong preposition.
- Incorrect: He drove away the customers.
- Correct: He drove the customers away.
Remember, “drive sb away” is inseparable. The object must come between “drive” and “away.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “push sb away” and “scare sb off,” but they have different uses.
- Push sb away: Often means emotional rejection, not physical leaving.
- Scare sb off: Means to frighten someone so they leave immediately.
- Drive sb away: Focuses on causing someone to leave, often over time or due to unpleasant conditions.
Each phrase suits different situations, so choose carefully.
Common Collocations
When using “drive sb away,” certain objects often appear:
- Customers: People who buy goods or services.
- Friends: People in social relationships.
- Animals: Pets or wildlife leaving an area.
- Visitors: Guests or tourists leaving a place.
- Workers: Employees quitting or leaving a job.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of drive sb away:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “drive sb away”:
Anna: Why did the customers stop coming to the café?
Ben: The staff became rude last month. That really drove them away.
Anna: We need to improve the service quickly!
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “drive sb away”:
- The loud noise ________ the neighbors ________.
- Her bad attitude ________ many friends ________.
- Fear of crime ________ tourists ________ from the city.
FAQs
- Q: Can “drive sb away” be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “The noise drove them away.”
- Q: Is “drive sb away” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Q: Can “drive sb away” be used with animals?
A: Yes, for example, “The scarecrow drove the birds away.”
- Q: What is the difference between “drive sb away” and “scare sb off”?
“Drive sb away” often happens over time; “scare sb off” means immediate fright.
- Q: Is “drive sb away” separable?
No, the object always goes between “drive” and “away.”
