What Does “Shut sb away” Mean?
“Shut sb away” means to keep someone isolated or separated from others, often physically or emotionally.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “shut sb away” is commonly used to describe the act of isolating someone. This could be for safety reasons, punishment, or emotional protection. Understanding the “shut sb away meaning” helps learners use it correctly in different contexts. It often implies closing someone off from the outside world, either by locking a door or by emotionally distancing them. This phrase is useful in both everyday conversations and formal discussions when talking about isolation or separation.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: shut somebody away
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To keep a person isolated or confined
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Shut sb away” is a transitive and separable phrasal verb. This means the object (sb) comes between “shut” and “away.”
- Correct: Shut her away in the room.
- Also correct: Shut away her in the room. (Less common, avoid)
The most natural and common pattern is: shut + somebody + away.
How to Use Shut sb away?
Use “shut sb away” when talking about isolating someone physically or emotionally. It can describe locking someone in a place or emotionally cutting them off. It is often used in contexts like prisons, hospitals, or situations where someone is kept apart for protection or punishment.
Examples
Imagine a story where a character is locked in a room to keep them safe. You can say, “They shut her away until the danger passed.”
- During the quarantine, the government shut infected patients away to prevent the virus from spreading.
- He shut himself away after the accident and didn’t see anyone for weeks.
- The cruel guard shut the prisoners away in dark cells.
- Sometimes, people shut loved ones away emotionally to protect themselves from pain.
- She was shut away in a remote cabin during the storm to stay safe.
These sentences show how to use “shut sb away” in a sentence naturally.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse “shut sb away” with similar phrases or use it incorrectly in grammar.
- Incorrect: Shut away her in the room.
- Correct: Shut her away in the room.
- Incorrect: Shut someone off away.
- Correct: Shut someone away.
Remember, the object must come directly after “shut,” before “away.”
Differences / Synonyms
“Shut sb away” is similar to “lock someone up” or “shut someone in,” but it focuses more on isolation rather than just locking. “Shut sb out” means to exclude someone emotionally or socially, while “shut sb away” can mean physical or emotional separation.
- Lock someone up: Emphasizes locking and imprisonment.
- Shut someone in: Focuses on confining someone inside a place.
- Shut someone out: Means excluding emotionally or socially.
Common Collocations
When using “shut sb away,” certain objects are common. These collocations help you sound natural.
- Shut a person away: To isolate someone physically.
- Shut a child away: Often used when protecting or punishing.
- Shut prisoners away: Refers to locking up prisoners.
- Shut someone away emotionally: Means to distance emotionally.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of shut sb away:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation that shows how people use “shut sb away” naturally.
Anna: Why hasn’t Tom been answering calls?
Ben: He’s been shutting himself away since his breakup.
Anna: That’s sad. Maybe he needs some time alone.
Practice
Try to complete the sentence below with the correct form of “shut sb away.”
During the storm, they decided to _______ the children _______ in the basement for safety.
- a) shut / away
- b) shut away /
- c) shut off / away
- d) shut away / off
Answer: a) shut / away
FAQ
- Q: Is “shut sb away” formal or informal?
A: It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Q: Can “shut sb away” be used emotionally?
A: Yes, it can describe emotional isolation as well as physical.
- Q: What is the difference between “shut sb away” and “lock sb up”?
A: “Lock sb up” focuses on imprisonment, while “shut sb away” emphasizes isolation.
- Q: Is “shut sb away” separable?
A: Yes, the object comes between “shut” and “away.”
- Q: Can I use “shut sb away” in everyday conversation?
A: Yes, especially when talking about isolation or separation.
