1.
If you take something away from someone, you remove it from them, so that they no longer possess it or have it with them.
They’re going to take my citizenship away...
‘Give me the knife,’ he said softly, ‘or I’ll take it away from you.’...
In prison they’d taken away his watch and everything he possessed.
PHRASAL VERB : V n P , V n P from n , V P n (not pron)
2.
If you take one number or amount away from another, you subtract one number from the other.
Add up the bills for each month. Take this away from the income.
= subtract
≠ add
PHRASAL VERB : V n P from n , also V P n (not pron) , V n P
3.
To take someone away means to bring them from their home to an institution such as a prison or hospital.
Two men claiming to be police officers called at the pastor’s house and took him away...
Soldiers took away four people one of whom was later released.
= take off
PHRASAL VERB : V n P , V P n (not pron)
4.
see also takeaway