shy away

shy away — phrasal verb

  • shy awaybase form
  • shies away3rd person singular
  • shying away-ing form
  • shied awaypast simple

1. to keep away from doing or dealing with something because it makes you feel worr

1.片語動詞不及物B2
釋義

to keep away from doing or dealing with something because it makes you feel worried, afraid, or unsure

例句

Many young drivers shy away from busy city roads at night.

shy away from + noun for an action people avoid

Defne shied away from asking her boss for a pay rise.

shy away from + -ing for an action that feels scary

同義詞
  • avoid

    more neutral; does not have to involve fear or nervousness

  • recoil from

    stronger; suggests a sharp physical or emotional pulling back

  • balk at

    stresses sudden unwillingness when faced with the thing

反義詞
  • embrace

    used when someone willingly takes on the thing instead of avoiding it

  • confront

    used when someone faces a hard thing directly rather than backing away

文法句型

shy away from + noun

shy away from + -ing

用法筆記

Almost always followed by 'from' plus a noun or an -ing form naming the thing avoided. Frequently appears in the negative ('do not shy away from') to praise someone for facing a hard task.

常見錯誤

❌He shied away the difficult question.
✅He shied away from the difficult question.
💡Keep 'from' before the thing you avoid.
❌She shied away to speak in public.
✅She shied away from speaking in public.
💡Use 'from + -ing', not 'to + verb'.