All Ears English Podcast AEE 2538: Are You Working Away at Learning Phrasal Verbs?
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Dec 29, 2025 Delve into the nuances of phrasal verbs with a focus on the word 'away.' Discover how it adds a sense of duration and emphasis to actions like munching, studying, and chatting. Enjoy a role-play demonstration showcasing these phrases in natural conversation. Learn the distinction between expressions like 'reading away the afternoon' and how it can imply wasted time. Finally, gain insight into when to use 'up a storm' versus 'away' for different tones. Elevate your English with these practical tips!
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Eating Kids' Leftovers
- Michelle recounts eating her children's leftovers and feeling like a 'human garbage disposal'.
- She links this habit to snacking and weight gain in a casual parenting anecdote.
Away Emphasizes Continuity
- Adding away to a verb makes the action sound continuous and prolonged over time.
- Michelle and Aubrey show this with munching away versus munching on to signal duration and focus.
Choose Casual Verbs Correctly
- Prefer 'munching on' for casual snack-eating and add 'away' to imply duration.
- Use 'nibbling' or 'snacking on' if you want similar casual tone without munching.