burn away

burn away (third-person singular simple present burns away, present participle burning away, simple past and past participle burned away or burnt away)

1. (ergative) To remove or be removed by burning.

   Coordinate terms: burn down, burn off, burn up

   The laser burned away the excess body hair.

2. (figurative, by extension) to remove instantly and forcefully; to evaporate
   • 2020, Barack Obama, chapter 13, in A Promised Land, Crown:

     In fact, McChrystal's whole manner was that of someone who's burned away frivolity and distractions from his life.