Question 1

What does "shy away" mean?

Accepted Answer

Of an animal, especially a horse, to suddenly move away from something frightening.

Question 2

How do you use "shy away" in a sentence?

Accepted Answer

The horse shied away when the car horn blared nearby.

Question 3

Is "shy away" formal or informal?

Accepted Answer

"shy away" is register-neutral — appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. Often used of animals (especially horses) reacting to sudden movement or sound. In figurative use, typically followed by 'from'. Used to describe habitual avoidance rather than a single sudden action.

shy away

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