clear away

remove things from a place to make it tidy, especially after a meal

B2

What does "clear sth away" mean?

To clear away means to remove items from a surface — most typically a dining table after a meal — so that the space is left tidy and open. The focus is on taking things off a surface, not on where they end up: you might stack dishes by the sink or carry glasses to the kitchen without necessarily putting everything in its final place. It is especially common in British English domestic settings and often appears in polite requests or instructions, such as asking a family member or colleague to help tidy up. Beyond mealtimes, it can describe removing clutter from a desk or tools from a workbench, as long as the idea is restoring order to a surface. It is a neutral, everyday phrase that sits comfortably in both casual conversation and written narrative.

Examples

How to use it

clear away + object

The most common pattern, used when the object is a noun phrase such as a type of item or a vague noun like 'things' or 'stuff'.

Can you clear away the cups and saucers before the meeting starts?

clear + object + away

Separation is natural and common with short noun objects, particularly everyday household items.

She cleared the plates away and gave the table a quick wipe.

clear + pronoun + away

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and the particle — it cannot follow 'away'.

The leftovers were still on the table, so he cleared them away before sitting down again.

clear away (no object)

The verb can be used without a stated object when the context — typically just after a meal — makes it clear what is being removed.

Once everyone had finished eating, the children helped clear away.

be cleared away

The passive form is grammatically possible and appears occasionally in more formal or written contexts.

By the time the speeches began, all the dinner things had been cleared away.

Common Collocations

dishesplatescupsthe messthe tablethe breakfast/tea things

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placement

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between the verb and the particle. Placing the pronoun after 'away' is ungrammatical in English.

✗ Could you clear away them after lunch?
✓ Could you clear them away after lunch?
Confusing 'clear away' with 'put away'

'Put away' means returning items to their proper storage place, whereas 'clear away' simply means removing things from a surface to tidy it — the items don't have to go to a fixed location.

✗ I cleared away my winter clothes into the wardrobe.
✓ I put away my winter clothes into the wardrobe. / I cleared away the breakfast things from the table.
Separating with a long or complex noun phrase

Separation works well with short objects, but if the object is long or complex, keep it together after 'away' to avoid an awkward sentence.

✗ She cleared everything that was left on the counter after the party away.
✓ She cleared away everything that was left on the counter after the party.

Usage

This phrasal verb is more common in British English; American speakers often prefer 'clear the table' or 'clean up'. It is neutral in register and works equally well in spoken requests ('Could you clear away the dishes?') and written narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'clear away' mainly used for meals, or can I use it in other situations?

The most typical context is removing dishes and food items after a meal, but you can also use it more broadly — for example, clearing away tools after a DIY project or clearing away papers from a desk. The key idea is always removing items from a surface to restore order, rather than deep-cleaning or reorganising storage.

Is 'clear away' more British or American English?

It is more characteristic of British English, particularly in domestic and mealtime contexts. American English speakers tend to prefer 'clear the table' or 'clean up' in the same situations. If you are writing for or speaking to an American audience, those alternatives may sound more natural to them.

What kinds of things can you 'clear away'?

The most natural objects are everyday items found on a table or surface after eating — dishes, plates, glasses, cups, cutlery, leftovers, and vague nouns like 'the things' or 'the stuff'. In non-meal contexts, you might clear away clutter, debris, or tools. It is less natural with very large or abstract objects.

Does 'clear away' have other meanings I should know about?

The sense covered here — removing things to tidy a space — is the core everyday meaning. The same verb-particle combination does not carry widely different unrelated meanings, though related phrasal verbs like 'clear up' and 'clear out' have distinct senses covered elsewhere on this platform.

Can I use 'clear away' in a formal email or report?

It is a neutral phrase rather than slang, so it is not inappropriate in most writing. That said, it is most at home in everyday conversation and informal narrative. In a formal written context — such as a business report — you would more likely choose 'remove' or 'tidy' instead.

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