The phrase "to take away" means to remove or retrieve something, either physically or metaphorically. It can refer to removing an object from a location, such as taking your shoes off before entering someone's home, or it can mean removing something from a group, like taking away the privilege of driving after receiving too many traffic tickets. The phrase can also be used in a more figurative sense, meaning to remove something that was previously available, such as taking away free access to a website after a certain number of views have been reached. Overall, "to take away" means to remove or retrieve something from its current location or state.