What Does “Shut sth away” Mean?
“Shut sth away” means to put something somewhere safe or hidden, usually by closing or locking it up.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “shut sth away” is used when you want to describe putting an item out of sight or securing it by closing it inside a place. For example, you might shut away important documents in a safe or shut away toys in a cupboard. Understanding the “shut sth away meaning” helps learners use it correctly in everyday conversations and writing. This phrase emphasizes the action of closing something to keep it safe or hidden, and it is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: shut something away
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To close something in a safe or hidden place
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Shut sth away” is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it always needs an object (the “something”). It is separable, so you can put the object between “shut” and “away” or after “away”.
- shut something away (correct)
- shut away something (also correct but less common)
Example patterns:
- Subject + shut + object + away
- Subject + shut + away + object
How to Use Shut sth away?
Use “shut sth away” when you want to talk about locking or putting something in a safe or hidden place. It often implies protection or keeping things out of sight. This phrasal verb fits well in sentences about storing valuables, secrets, or items you do not want out in the open.
Examples
Imagine you have valuable jewelry that you do not want to lose or show to others. You might say:
- I shut my jewelry away in the safe every night.
- She shut away all her old letters in a box under the bed.
- They shut away the cleaning supplies where children couldn’t reach them.
- He shut away his feelings after the difficult conversation.
- We shut away the extra food in the pantry to keep it fresh.
These examples show “shut sth away in a sentence” clearly in different contexts.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse “shut away” with similar phrases or forget to include the object. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: I shut away in the closet. (Missing object)
- Correct: I shut my tools away in the closet.
- Incorrect: She shut away her books. (Less clear without the place)
- Correct: She shut away her books in the cabinet.
Differences / Synonyms
“Shut sth away” is similar to “put away” and “lock away,” but there are differences:
- Put away: Means to store or tidy something, but not necessarily locked or hidden.
- Lock away: Focuses on locking something securely, often stronger than just “shut away.”
- Shut away: Implies closing and hiding something, possibly locking, but not always explicitly locked.
Use “shut away” when you want to emphasize closing and hiding something, not just putting it somewhere.
Common Collocations
You will often find “shut away” used with objects that need protection or hiding. Here are common collocations:
- Documents – important papers stored safely
- Jewelry – valuable items kept locked
- Food – stored to keep fresh or safe
- Feelings – emotional states kept private
- Tools – equipment stored to avoid loss or danger
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of shut sth away:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “shut sth away”:
Anna: Where did you put the old photos?
Ben: I shut them away in the drawer so they don’t get damaged.
Anna: Good idea. We should keep them safe.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “shut away”:
- She _______ her passport _______ in the safe before traveling.
- We always _______ the cleaning products _______ where kids can’t reach.
- He _______ his worries _______ and didn’t talk about them.
FAQ
- Q: Is “shut sth away” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “shut” and “away” or after “away.”
- Q: Can “shut away” be used for emotions?
A: Yes, it can describe hiding or suppressing feelings.
- Q: What is the difference between “shut away” and “lock away”?
A: “Lock away” emphasizes locking securely, while “shut away” means closing and hiding, not always locked.
- Q: Is “shut away” formal or informal?
A: It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Q: Can I say “shut away the door”?
A: No, “shut away” is used with objects being stored or hidden, not with doors.
