PhrasesHub

drifted away

    Definitions

      • relationship deterioration
        To describe a situation where two people or a group have become distant or less connected over time

      • lose focus
        To describe a situation where someone has become less focused or less interested in something, often over time

    Examples of drifted away

    • After years of neglect, our relationship drifted away.

      This idiom is used when something or someone has slowly disappeared or become distant over time. In this example, "drifted away" means that the relationship that was once close and strong has gradually weakened and lost its significance.

    • I used to enjoy reading, but after my busy schedule started, my love for reading drifted away.

      Similarly, in this example, "my love for reading" has lost its intensity due to the distraction caused by the demanding work schedule.

    • The once-bustling market has drifted away due to the spread of e-commerce.

      The expression "drifted away" can be applied to places too. In this example, the market that was popular in the past has dwindled and faded away due to the impact of online marketplaces.

    • After his retirement, he drifted away into the world of art and now spends most of his days painting.

      This idiom signifies that the person has left his former life and pursued a new activity or interest more passionately. In this example, the person has retired and then acquired an interest in painting, which has superceded all his other involved activities.

    • The memories of my childhood friends drifted away as I grew older and lost touch with them.

      This idiom means that the memories of my childhood friends have become distant or vague over time, as I have not had recent interactions with them. It suggests that because we have fallen out of touch, the memories of our friendship are fading away, just as objects drift away in water.

    • The wind carried the dandelion seeds away, and they drifted off into the distance.

      Here, the idiom refers to the way objects can be transported away by a natural force, such as wind or water. The seeds of a dandelion are light and puffy, so when they are released, they can float away on the breeze, much like an object drifting away in water.

    • As the days went by, my motivation in work gradually drifted away.

      This usage shows how an idea, emotion or concept can lose intensity, or fade away, over time. Just as objects can become less visible and move further away in water, a person's energy or enthusiasm can also decrease and become less prominent.

    • The melodies of the old song drifted away, leaving only the sound of the rain in my ears.

      Here, the idiom is being used in a figurative way, to describe the way a sound can become less distinct or discernible over time. Just as an object in water can become less evident as it moves farther away, a sound can lose clarity as it fades into the background.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "drifted away" is often used to describe the deterioration of a relationship or the loss of focus or interest in something. It can be used in various contexts, such as personal relationships, friendships, or even in a professional setting when describing a lack of focus or interest in a task or project.

    Origin of "drifted away"

    The origin of the idiom "drifted away" can be traced back to the literal meaning of the word "drift." The word "drift" originally referred to the act of being carried along by a current of air or water, without control or direction. Over time, this literal meaning evolved to also describe a gradual movement or change in direction.

    The idiom "drifted away" likely originated from this literal meaning, as it captures the gradual and often uncontrollable nature of relationships deteriorating or individuals losing focus or interest in something. The idiom has become a common way to describe these types of situations, and it is widely used in everyday language.