The phrase "to peel away" means to remove or take off something, layer by layer. It can refer to removing an outer covering or protection from something, often with a tool such as a knife or scraper. The term is commonly used in the context of fruits and vegetables where one would use a peeler to remove the skin or outer layers before eating it. However, the phrase can also be used figuratively to mean removing information or details gradually, layer by layer, until the core truth or reality is revealed.