ebb away

ebb away

To recede or move away. The floodwaters are finally beginning to ebb away, thank goodness. After being stuck in bed for weeks, I'm very relieved that my illness is ebbing away.
See also: away, ebb
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ebb away

to recede; to subside; to flow back. His life ebbed away little by little. As the sunlight ebbed away, the sky took on a grayish color.
See also: away, ebb
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • draw away
  • draw away from (someone or something)
  • are we away
  • Are we away?
  • drift away
  • drain away
  • come away
  • away
  • do away with
  • do away with (someone, something, or oneself)
References in periodicals archive
I am sure any frustration shall ebb away once fans begin to see the new stadium - which must be of a capacity greater than 60,000 and more like 80,000.
Letter: COMMENT & ANALYSIS - Joint stadium; Letters to the Editor
Whatever sympathy they have gained would quickly ebb away.
Editorial Comment No need for M4 go-slow
Shrewsbury Town get another chance to reach safety at the Gay Meadow today as the sands of time ebb away at the foot of the Division Three table.
Town on survival course
To complete a sad afternoon for Sale full back Jim Mallinder who was playing his 250th game for the club received a serious cut to his head as Sale's Premiership life started to ebb away.
Rugby Union: De Beer's warm; Sale 7 London Scottish 23
Her brave parents have watched their girl's life ebb away over 15 months of despair.
THE LAST SMILE OF CJD GIRL DONNA; Exclusive: Family's final picture of Donnamarie
Since the demise of Swan Hunter the fear has been that the skills base we have nurtured here would slowly ebb away in search of work elsewhere in this or even other countries.
Great news
Daniel Griffiths added a conversion and penalty but it was a depressing day all-round for the champions, who are seeing their chances of retaining their title starting to ebb away.
Black Wednesday for the champions
As minutes ebb away, tension gradually builds to an audacious final shot that will leave you gasping.
Will love stand the test of time?
That poor return has seen dreams of UEFA Cup football ebb away - and despite being ninth in the Premiership, Jean Tigana's side are only six points above 17thplaced Bolton.
Melville: We must kickstart season
But after recent headlines you can feel that confidence ebb away.
Act now to get money moving
As the minutes ebb away, the tension builds to a devastating and audacious final shot to leave you gasping.
Strangers on a train
There are fears the move would only ebb away further at the lack of respect certain sections of society already have for the law.
IRISH DAILY Mirror COMMENT: Do the crime, do the time
For more than a week they have watched his life ebb away, despite the tender care of hospital staff and the skill of a superlative surgical team.
Comment: The death that shamed Ireland
He said: "If we don't get real improvements in services for this level of investment, disenchantment among the public will grow and public confidence will ebb away.
NHS bosses in sack threat
Jobs will ebb away. Investment in industry will slow down.
Voice of The Mirror: Eu've got to show the way, Tony