Cool MatePacking it away vs Store
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Packing it away
Top 3,000 (common)
Store
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most common: Store
| Packing it away | Store | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈpækɪŋ ɪt əˈweɪ//🇺🇸 //ˈpækɪŋ ɪt əˈweɪ// | 🇬🇧 /["/stɔː(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/stɔːr/"]/ |
| Meaning | To put something in a place or container to keep it safe. | A place where you can buy things. |
| Example | After the party, we started **packing it away** to clean up. | I need to go to the store to buy some groceries. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | packing away clothes, packing away toys, packing away food, packing away supplies, packing away equipment | big, large, major, chain, go to, visit, close, carry something, offer something, sell something, chain, account, card, at a/the store, in a/the store, the back of a/the store, the front of a/the store, big, large, major, chain, go to, visit, close, carry something, offer something, sell something, chain, account, card, at a/the store, in a/the store, the back of a/the store, the front of a/the store, good, great, large, have, keep, build up, cupboard, room, store of, cold, dry, temporary, hold something, in a/the store, store for |
| Antonyms | - | sell, dispose, discard |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'packing it in' which means to give up., Using 'pack' without an object, e.g., should say 'packing it away' instead of just 'packing'., Mixing up 'away' with 'up', as in 'packing it up' means something else. | Confused with the verb 'store' meaning to keep something., Saying 'the stores' when referring to multiple items instead of multiple places., Using 'store' in formal contexts where 'retail outlet' might be more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use in contexts where items are being stored or tidied up. Informal settings often use this phrase. Avoid in formal writing. | Use 'store' for general places to buy things, like grocery stores or clothing stores. Avoid using it for more specific terms like 'boutique' or 'supermarket'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Packing it away vs Store
What's the difference between Packing it away and Store?
Packing it away: To put something in a place or container to keep it safe. Store: A place where you can buy things.
Which is more common: Packing it away and Store?
Store is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Packing it away: After the party, we started **packing it away** to clean up. Store: I need to go to the store to buy some groceries.
Can I use Packing it away and Store interchangeably?
Not always. Packing it away and Store are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.