Cool MateStart vs Take it away
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Start
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Take it away
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Start
| Start | Take it away | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/stɑːt/","/stɑːts/","/ˈstɑːtɪd/","/ˈstɑːtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/stɑːrt/","/stɑːrts/","/ˈstɑːrtɪd/","/ˈstɑːrtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //teɪk ɪt əˈweɪ//🇺🇸 //teɪk ɪt əˈweɪ// |
| Meaning | To begin something | Remove something or start a performance. |
| Example | Please start the engine before we leave. | The waiter said, 'Take it away,' as he cleared the empty dishes. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | suddenly, immediately, just, decide to, expect to, hope to, as, by, from, get (somebody/something) started, a good, great, etc. place to start, let’s start, suddenly, immediately, just, decide to, expect to, hope to, as, by, from, get (somebody/something) started, a good, great, etc. place to start, let’s start | take it away from here, take it away now, take it away please |
| Antonyms | stop, finish, end | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'begin' — both mean similar things but are used in slightly different contexts., Used as a noun incorrectly — 'start' is mainly a verb., Misplaced in phrasal verbs — it should not be confused with 'start up' in business contexts. | Used inappropriately as a command without context., Confused with 'take away' which implies removal without invitation. |
| Usage notes | Use 'start' for beginning actions or events. It's appropriate in both speaking and writing, but in formal contexts, you might use 'initiate' instead. | Use when asking someone to remove something or when inviting someone to begin a performance. It can be informal in a casual setting. |
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Frequently asked questions: Start vs Take it away
What's the difference between Start and Take it away?
Start: To begin something Take it away: Remove something or start a performance.
Which is more common: Start and Take it away?
Start is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Start: Please start the engine before we leave. Take it away: The waiter said, 'Take it away,' as he cleared the empty dishes.
Can I use Start and Take it away interchangeably?
Not always. Start and Take it away 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.