The phrase "hid away" is spelled with a /h/ sound at the beginning, followed by the short /ɪ/ vowel sound, then the voiced consonant /d/. The second word, "away," begins with the voiced /w/ sound and has the long /eɪ/ diphthong followed by the voiced /ɪ/ sound. Together, these sounds make the phrase "hid away" pronounced as /hɪd əˈweɪ/ with stress on the second syllable of "away." This phrase means to conceal or keep something in a private or secret place.
Hid away is a phrasal verb that consists of the verb "hide" and the adverbial particle "away." It refers to the act of concealing or storing something in a secret or secluded place, particularly for the purpose of keeping it out of sight or safely preserved. This phrase typically implies a deliberate effort made to keep the object or person hidden, away from others' knowledge or reach.
When someone uses the expression "hid away," they often suggest that the action is done discreetly, possibly clandestinely, so as not to draw attention. The intent behind hiding away can vary, ranging from safeguarding valuable belongings, preserving precious keepsakes, or even evading detection or discovery by others.
This phrasal verb can also be used metaphorically to describe the act of isolating oneself or withdrawing from others emotionally or physically. In this context, it implies a desire to detach from one's surroundings, find seclusion, or avoid interaction with other people.
"Hid away" is a commonly used expression in everyday language, often found in discussions about secret compartments, hidden treasures, personal retreats, or mysterious disappearances. It encapsulates the notion of secrecy, concealment, and intentional effort to keep something away from public knowledge, making it an essential part of the English lexicon.
The phrase "hid away" is not a word with a distinct etymology on its own, as it is a combination of two separate words: "hid" and "away". Here are the etymologies of each word:
1. "Hid":
The word "hid" is the past tense of the verb "hide", which means to conceal or put out of sight. "Hide" originated from the Old English word "hydan" and Germanic word "hudjan", both meaning "to hide" or "to cover".
2. "Away":
The word "away" is derived from the Old English word "onweg", a combination of "on" (meaning "in" or "on") and "weg" (meaning "way" or "road"). Over time, "onweg" transformed into "away", indicating the sense of moving or being distant from a particular place or object.