How Do You Spell HACK AWAY?

Pronunciation: [hˈak ɐwˈe͡ɪ] (IPA)

"Hack away" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /hæk əˈweɪ/. The initial sound is a voiceless velar fricative /h/ followed by a short a vowel /æ/. The consonant cluster /ck/ represents a voiceless velar plosive followed by a voiceless alveolar plosive. The second syllable begins with a schwa /ə/ and ends with a diphthong /weɪ/, which represents a long open front unrounded vowel followed by a gliding movement towards /ɪ/. To hack away means to cut forcefully and repeatedly through something, often with a tool.

HACK AWAY Meaning and Definition

1. "Hack away" is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of continuously and vigorously cutting or chopping something with heavy blows or repetitive actions. It is often used in relation to physically striking or chopping something, like a tree or a piece of wood, but it can also have metaphorical meanings.

   In a literal sense, "hack away" implies relentless and forceful cutting or chopping, often with a sharp tool like an ax or a machete. For example, a lumberjack may "hack away" at a tree trunk to bring it down or a carpenter might "hack away" at a block of wood to shape it. The term emphasizes the repetitive and determined nature of the action.

   Metaphorically, "hack away" can be used to describe persistent and energetic efforts to overcome or solve a problem. It implies relentless working or pursuing a goal, often in a repetitive manner, in order to achieve progress or success. For instance, someone might be described as "hacking away" at a difficult project or "hacking away" at a complex issue in order to find a solution.

   Overall, "hack away" conveys a sense of sustained and forceful action, whether it be in a physical or metaphorical sense. The term is often associated with perseverance, determination, and a dedicated effort to achieve a desired outcome.

Common Misspellings for HACK AWAY

• gack away
• nack away
• jack away
• uack away
• yack away
• hzck away
• hsck away
• hwck away
• hqck away
• haxk away
• havk away
• hafk away
• hadk away
• hacj away
• hacm away
• hacl away
• haco away
• haci away
• hack zway
• hack sway

Etymology of HACK AWAY

The term "hack away" is a phrasal verb derived from the noun "hack" and the adverb "away". Each component has its own distinct etymology:

1. Hack: The term "hack" has a long history, and its etymology can be traced back to the Old English word "haccian", which means "to cut or chop roughly". Over time, "hack" evolved to encompass various meanings related to cutting with rough or heavy blows.

2. Away: The adverb "away" originated from Middle English and is derived from the Old English word "onweg", which means "on the way" or "off". It indicates movement, action, or continuation in a particular direction or manner.

When these two words are combined, "hack away" takes on the meaning of cutting or chopping continuously with rough or heavy blows, usually focused on a specific target or to achieve a particular task.

Idioms with the word HACK AWAY

• hack away To work persistently and diligently at something, often in a rough or unrefined manner.