Hearing that a team “bore away the trophy” or a moment “bore away all the attention” might catch your interest. The idiom “bear away” describes winning, taking, or triumphing in a situation. It’s a phrase that adds elegance and drama to ordinary language.
Meaning of "Bear Away"
The idiom “bear away” revolves around taking or winning something. Its main uses include:
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To win a prize, award, or competition.
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To carry something off successfully.
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To triumph or succeed in a challenge.
In short, “bear away” means to take or win something, often after effort or competition.
Example sentences:
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“The young singer bore away the top prize at the talent show.”
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“Despite the obstacles, she bore away the honors she deserved.”
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“Our team bore away first place in the annual chess tournament.”
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“He bore away the contract after months of negotiations.”
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“The dramatic performance bore away the audience’s applause.”
Origin of "Bear Away"
The idiom “bear away” comes from the verb “bear,” which historically meant to carry or transport. The idea of carrying something off naturally evolved into expressing triumph or success.
The phrase appeared in English literature as early as the 17th century, often linked to competitions, races, or battles:
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In horse racing, “to bear away” meant to lead the race and win.
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Over time, it broadened to mean winning awards or honors in various contexts.
Linguists generally agree the phrase grew from literal carrying to figurative triumph, making it a versatile idiom for both everyday and formal language.
Examples in Sentences
Here are some ways “bear away” appears in different contexts:
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Formal: “The company bore away the industry award for innovation this year.”
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Casual: “She bore away the win in the local baking contest.”
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Sports: “The team bore away the championship after a thrilling final match.”
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Figurative: “The touching speech bore away all the attention in the room.”
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Business: “Our proposal bore away the client’s approval after careful review.”
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Historical: “The knight bore away the honors of the tournament with unmatched skill.”
These examples show the idiom works in formal, casual, and figurative contexts alike.
Similar Idioms or Phrases
Several idioms share a similar meaning with “bear away”:
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Carry off – To succeed in doing something difficult or winning something.
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Take the cake – To be the most outstanding or remarkable in some way.
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Walk away with – To win or gain something easily.
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Sweep the board – To win everything available, often used in competitions.
Each phrase conveys success, victory, or achievement, just like “bear away.”
Seeing “bear away” in action makes it feel more vivid than just saying “win.” I love using it in writing because it adds energy and drama, whether describing a sporting event, a contest, or even a memorable personal moment. It turns a simple victory into something that feels truly earned.
The idiom “bear away” reminds us that winning or taking something after effort carries a sense of triumph that ordinary words can’t match. Do you use “bear away” in your everyday conversations? Share your examples in the comments!