English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 145: Phrasal verbs 9 (away/back)

Compare away and back:

away = away from home
  • We're going away on holiday today.
back = back home
  • We'll be back in three weeks.
away = away from a place, a person etc.
  • The woman got into her car, started the engine and drove away.
  • I tried to take a picture of the bird, but it flew away.
  • I dropped the ticket and it blew away in the wind.
  • The police searched the house and took away a computer.
back = back to a place, a person etc.
  • A: I'm going out now.
    B: What time will you be back?
  • After eating at a restaurant, we walked back to our hotel.
  • I've still got Jane's keys. I forgot to give them back to her.
  • When you've finished with that book, can you put it back on the shelf?
In the same way you can say: walk away, run away, look away etc.In the same way you can say: go back, come back, get back, take something back etc.

Other verbs + away

get away = escape, leave with difficulty
  • We tried to catch the thief, but she managed to get away.

get away with something = do something wrong without being caught
  • I parked in a no-parking zone, but I got away with it. I didn't have to pay a fine.

keep away (from ... ) = don't go near
  • Keep away from the edge of the pool. You might fall in.

give something away = give it to somebody else because you don't want it any more
  • 'Did you sell your old computer?'   'No, I gave it away.'

put something away = put it in the place where it is kept, usually out of sight
  • When the children had finished playing with their toys, they put them away.

throw something away = put it in the rubbish
  • I kept the letter, but I threw away the envelope.

Other verbs + back

wave back / smile back / shout back / write back / hit somebody back
  • I waved to her and she waved back.

call/phone/ring (somebody) back = return a phone call
  • I can't talk to you now. I'll call you back in ten minutes.

get back to somebody = reply to them by phone etc.
  • I sent him an email, but he never got back to me.

look back (on something) = think about what happened in the past
  • My first job was in a travel agency. I didn't like it very much at the time but, looking back on it, I learnt a lot and it was a very useful experience.

pay back money, pay somebody back
  • If you borrow money, you have to pay it back.
  • Thanks for lending me the money. I'll pay you back next week.

145.1 Look at the pictures and complete the sentences.


  1. She waved to him and he .

  2. It was windy. I dropped a twenty-pound note and it __________ .

  3. Sue opened the letter, read it and __________ in the envelope.

  4. He tried to talk to her, but she just __________ .

  5. Ellie threw the ball to Ben and he __________ .

  6. His shoes were worn out, so he __________ .

145.2 Complete the sentences. Use a verb + away or back.

  1. I was away all day yesterday. I very late.
  2. I haven't seen our neighbours for a while. I think they must __________ .
  3. 'I'm going out now.' 'OK. What time will you __________ ?'
  4. A man was trying to break into a car. When he saw me, he __________ .
  5. I smiled at him, but he didn't __________ .
  6. If you cheat in the exam, you might __________ with it. But you might get caught.
  7. Be careful! That's an electric fence. __________ from it.

145.3 Complete the sentences using a verb in the correct form.

  1. The woman got into her car, started the engine and away.
  2. Here's the money you need. __________ me back when you can.
  3. Don't __________ that box away. It could be useful.
  4. Jane doesn't do anything at work. I don't know how she __________ away with it.
  5. I'm going out now. I'll __________ back in about an hour.
  6. You should think more about the future; don't __________ back all the time.
  7. Gary is very generous. He won some money in the lottery and __________ it all away.
  8. I'll __________ back to you as soon as I have the information you need.

145.4 Complete the sentences. Use the verb in brackets + away or back.

  1. A: Do you still have my keys?
    B: No. Don't you remember? I to you yesterday. (give)
  2. A: Do you want this magazine?
    B: No, I've finished with it. You can __________ . (throw)
  3. A: How are your new jeans? Do they fit you OK?
    B: No, I'm going to __________ to the shop. (take)
  4. A: Here's the money you asked me to lend you.
    B: Thanks. I'll __________ as soon as I can. (pay)
  5. A: What happened to all the books you used to have?
    B: I didn't want them any more, so I __________ . (give)
  6. A: Did you phone Sarah?
    B: She wasn't there. I left a message asking her to __________ . (call)

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