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take away from

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take away from someone or something

to lessen the value or esteem of someone or something; to detract from someone or something. The fact that she is quiet does not take away from her one bit. The huge orange spot in the center of the painting takes away from the intense green of the rest of the work.

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take away from something

1. to make something less important I don't want to take away from his achievement, but I think he should have thanked his colleagues for their help. Wearing that kind of outfit takes away from your dignity and self-respect.

2. to reduce something You know the company will cut jobs because it will not allow anything to take away from profits.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of take away (to remove or subtract one thing from another)

See also: away, take

take something away from somebody/something

to reduce the praise earned by a person or group She did a lot to help people, and no one should ever try to take that away from her. We made some mistakes, but I don't want to take anything away from Iowa State - they played a great game.

See also: away, take

take away from

Detract, as in Her straggly hair takes away from her otherwise attractive appearance. [Second half of 1800s]

See also: away, take

take away from

To detract from: Drab curtains took away from the otherwise lovely room.

See also: away, take