The phrase "drift away" is spelled d-r-i-f-t a-w-a-y, and it is pronounced /drɪft əˈweɪ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The initial sound (/d/) is a voiced dental plosive, followed by a reduced vowel sound (/ɪ/). Then, there is a voiceless alveolar fricative (/f/) and a voiceless dental plosive (/t/). The vowel sound in the middle is a schwa /ə/. Finally, the last two sounds are the diphthong /eɪ/ and a voiced bilabial nasal (/n/). This phrase means to gradually or slowly move away from something or someone.
The phrase "drift away" refers to the gradual movement or separation from a particular place, person, idea, or state of mind. It describes the act of slowly distancing oneself from a current situation, relationship, or condition, often without any conscious effort or intention.
In a literal sense, "drift away" can depict the physical act of floating or moving away from a certain location due to external factors such as wind, waves, or currents. For instance, a boat might "drift away" from the shore as the tide carries it in a certain direction.
On a metaphorical level, "drift away" often relates to the emotional or mental detachment from someone or something. It implies a gradual decline in interest, connection, or involvement. This can apply to personal relationships, interests, or beliefs that were once significant but now appear less prominent or valuable.
The phrase can also describe the process of becoming lost in one's thoughts, daydreams, or fantasies, allowing the mind to wander aimlessly without much concentration or conscious control. In this context, to "drift away" signifies a gradual shift in focus or attention from the present moment to a more introspective, dreamlike state.
Overall, "drift away" captures the notion of gradual detachment, movement, or transition, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or metaphorically.
The word "drift" can be traced back to the Old Norse word "drift", which means "snowdrift" or "driftwood". It was later adopted into Middle English as "drifte", referring to a current of water or air moving in a particular direction. "Drift" eventually took on the broader sense of "to move or be carried slowly along a course" in the late 16th century.
The addition of "away" to "drift" intensifies the meaning, suggesting a gradual, passive movement away from a particular point or state. This specific phrase, "drift away", emerged in the 19th century with the same underlying concept of drifting along a particular course but focused specifically on moving away from something – physically, mentally, or emotionally.