sponge away

sponge away

1. To clean (some surface) vigorously or continuously with a sponge. I sat there sponging away at the concrete until all the markings were removed.
2. To remove something by absorbing or wiping it with a sponge. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "sponge" and "away." Dad's out back sponging the graffiti away. The nurse sponged away the blood from the woman's shoulder.
See also: away, sponge
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sponge something away

to absorb, wipe up, and wipe away something, as with a sponge. Try sponging the stain away with some soda water. I will sponge away the mess.
See also: away, sponge
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • sponge from
  • sponge from (someone or something)
  • sponge off
  • sponge off of
  • sponge off someone
  • sponged
  • sponge
  • sponge (something) off (of) (someone or something)
  • clean out
  • clean someone out
References in classic literature
Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone.'
Christmas Carol
Scrooge pleads with the ghost of Christmas future to wipe the slate clean, to "sponge away the writing on this stone."
Stocking full of coal: Illinois shrinkage poses major problems
Also, you may want to consider throwing your old sponge away after doing the dishes - they can harbour a huge amount of bacteria after use.
Home care: Preparing for Eid holidays in Oman
That was simply untrue and a reflection of his own prejudice then, a prejudice we are still only beginning to sponge away from society now.
Not at the expense of our language
The cake will be very delicate, so take care not to pull too much sponge away with the paper.
CHEF SKILLS-Learn to: Roll a roulade
Simply warm up a kettle of water, pour into a large pan and sponge away. A large plastic tote works as a great mini-bath, especially for children, and solar showers work too.
Starting from scratch
The city's stormwater drains meant to sponge away the water from flooded roads proved unequal to the task.
CHAOS! Post- rain traffic woes bring Capital to tears
Spread over the bowl and leave for a few hours, then sponge away and flush.
Who remembers these old remedies?
Now that it has risen to the top of the heap, is the DUP ablebodied enough to help us throw the sponge away?
Ditch the DLA spongers tag
Musically, highlights include "Link by Link," "As the Twig Is Bent," "I Release You," "My Little Child," "Sponge Away the Writing," and the second-act, full-company reprise of "Isn't It Wonderful?"
Home-grown 'Scrooge' earns holiday cheers
It makes more sense to suction or sponge away the blood and then cover the bleeder with a lap pad and slowly roll the pad away Then, just as the site starts to bleed, use the cautery This directly targets the bleeder and avoids boiling a large area.
CLINICAL PEARLS
2Hold template against each side in turn and, using sharp knife, cut sponge away around the window about 2.5cm (1in) deep at the top and less near the bottom.
Teletubby TREATS TO MAKE; IN THE FINAL PART OF OUR TERRIFIC TELETUBBY SERIES, WE SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE A DELICIOUS TUBBYTRONIC SUPERDOME CAKE, AS WELL AS T-SHIRTS AND TABLE MATS