Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To take away or remove someone or something quickly and suddenly, often in a surprising or abrupt manner.
   • To brush or wipe something off lightly and quickly.

Usage Examples

• Verb (take away suddenly):

  • The secret service agents whisked the president off to a secure location.
  • The fairy godmother whisked Cinderella off to the ball in a magical carriage.

• Verb (brush/wipe off lightly):

  • She whisked off the crumbs from the tablecloth before setting the plates.
  • He whisked the dust off his jacket with a quick flick of his hand.

Advanced Usage

• "to whisk someone off their feet": This idiom, while related, uses "whisk" differently. It means to impress or charm someone completely, often leading to a romantic relationship. It is listed here as it is a common, distinct idiom.
  • His grand romantic gesture completely whisked her off her feet.

Variants and Related Words

• Whisk (verb): The base form, meaning to move or take something quickly, or to beat ingredients (e.g., eggs).
• Whisked (past tense): The simple past and past participle form.
  • The children were whisked away for a surprise.

Synonyms

• Spirit away: To remove someone secretly or mysteriously.
• Sweep away: To remove or carry off forcefully or suddenly.
• Brush off: To remove something by brushing (for the second meaning).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Whisk away: Very similar in meaning to "whisk off," often used interchangeably when meaning "to take away suddenly."
  • The ambulance whisked away the injured player.

Related Idioms

• (To be) whisked off one's feet: As noted in Advanced Usage, this is a set idiom meaning to be charmed or swept into romance.
  • She wasn't looking for love, but he whisked her off her feet.

Verb

1. take away quickly and suddenly
2. brush or wipe off lightly