Anchors-Away-Anchors-Aweigh | Commonly Confused Words
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Anchors away vs. Anchors aweigh

Anchors away

/ˈæŋ.kəz əˈweɪ/
This phrase is used to indicate that a ship is raising its anchor and is ready to start moving.

Examples:

The crew shouted 'anchors away' as the ship departed.Once the anchors were away, our journey truly began.They sang 'anchors away' to celebrate the new voyage.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Anchors aweigh

/ˌæŋ.kɚz əˈweɪ/
A phrase used to announce that a ship's anchors are lifted and the vessel is ready to start sailing.

Examples:

The captain shouted, 'Anchors aweigh!' and the ship set sail.At dawn, the crew heard the call: 'Anchors aweigh!With a loud cheer, the sailors cried, 'Anchors aweigh!

Synonyms:

This word has no synonyms

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Anchors away is incorrect and often mistaken for the correct phrase anchors aweigh.
  • Remember that aweigh means the anchor is off the bottom and free of the sea floor.
  • The word away implies something is leaving, whereas aweigh specifically describes the anchor's position.
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