Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

The handle came away in my hand.
=slipped out of my hand?

Thanks

[bud]

No. For that to be the case, the preposition would have to be "from." Since the handle was "in" your hand, it separated from whatever it was a part of. Maybe the handle of your suitcase broke off from the suitcase. You were left holding the handle, while the suitcase smashed your toe when it fell to the floor. Ouch! Sorry!

[missdaredevil]

[bud]

Yes. It means an "unknown something" had a handle on it, most likely so it could be carried. When you grabbed the handle to pick it (the "something") up, the handle broke apart from the "something." You were left holding the handle, but nothing was attached to the handle.

Is that clearer? I think it might not be.

[missdaredevil]

Can I say "my speaker came away" ? meaning my cord broke off and left with speaker.

Thanks

[bud]

If you picked the speaker up and the wire broke off, I suppose you could say that the speaker came away in your hand... but I think it would be stretching the normal usage slightly. It might be more likely for something where a smaller part breaks off, and where the smaller part is more permanently attached than a speaker wire usually is.

The suitcase handle came away in my hand.
The knob of the drawer came away in my hand.
The pot handle came away in my hand.