walk away

To leave or stop being involved in a difficult or unwanted situation.

• You can still walk away.
• He walked away from an unhappy relationship.
• Would you walk away from a job that made you miserable?

How to use it: walk away from something (She walked away from the deal when the price rose.)

Similar words: withdraw, pull out

Common phrases: walk away from something, walk away now

To leave a person or place by moving away on foot.

• She turned and walked away.
• I watched him walk away down the street.
• Why are you walking away from me?

How to use it: walk away from someone/something (He walked away from the door without knocking.)

Similar words: walk off

Opposites: approach

Common phrases: walk away slowly, walk away from someone

To survive an accident or other dangerous situation without serious injury or damage.

• Everyone walked away unhurt.
• She walked away from a terrible car crash.
• It is amazing that he walked away without any injuries.

How to use it: walk away from + dangerous event (Both drivers walked away from the crash without a scratch.)

Similar words: survive, escape unharmed

Common phrases: walk away unhurt, walk away from something

To stop paying a loan and let the lender take the property used to support it.

• They decided to walk away from their mortgage.
• Falling house prices led more borrowers to walk away.
• She walked away and let the bank take the house.

How to use it: walk away from a mortgage/loan (Some owners walked away from mortgages on homes worth less than their loans.)

Similar words: default

Common phrases: walk away from mortgages, walk away from debt