chug away
chug away · chugs away · chugged away · chugging away
To move away at a slow, steady pace, especially if making chugging noisesTo move away at a slow, steady pace, especially if making chugging noises.
» The train belched clouds of black smoke into the air as it chugged away.
Meaning
4 sensesTo move away at a slow, steady pace, especially if making chugging noises.
To operate continuously, especially if making a low mechanical noise.
(broadly)To work at something in a steady, dogged manner.
To drink down steadily in large gulps.
Examples
1 sentencesThe train belched clouds of black smoke into the air as it chugged away.
Forms
chugs away, chugging away, chugged away, chugged away| Base form | chug away · to chug away |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | chugs away |
| Present participle | chugging away |
| Past simple | chugged away |
| Past participle | chugged away |
irregular
Lessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Phrasal verbs: introduction — Because it is a phrasal verb