tow-away zone

Meaning

A tow-away zone is an area where parking is strictly prohibited, and any vehicle parked there illegally will be removed (towed) by the authorities at the owner's expense. These zones are usually marked with clear signs to warn drivers.

Examples

• Don't park there; it's a designated tow-away zone after 6 PM.

  Don't park there; it's a designated tow-away zone after 6 PM.

• I had to pay a huge fine because I accidentally parked in a tow-away zone.

  I had to pay a huge fine because I accidentally parked in a tow-away zone.

• The sign clearly states that this entire street is a tow-away zone.

  The sign clearly states that this entire street is a tow-away zone.

• If you leave your car blocking the driveway, it will be treated as a tow-away zone.

  If you leave your car blocking the driveway, it will be treated as a tow-away zone.

• We need to find a proper garage because the curb here is a tow-away zone.

  We need to find a proper garage because the curb here is a tow-away zone.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ My car was taken from the towing zone.

  ✓ My car was taken from the tow-away zone.

  The standard established English phrase is 'tow-away zone', not 'towing zone'.

• ✗ Be careful, this is a tow-off zone.

  ✓ Be careful, this is a tow-away zone.

  The correct adverb in this compound noun is 'away', referring to the action of pulling the vehicle away.

Related Expressions

Practice

• You can't leave your car here; the sign says it's a ___.

  💡 An area where parked cars are removed by police or city services.

  Show answer

  tow-away zone

• Parking in a ___ can result in a very expensive recovery fee.

  💡 A restricted parking area where cars are removed.

  Show answer

  tow-away zone