I have a cough that won't go away.

Meaning: This means that the person has a cough that they cannot get rid of.

Choice of Words: Cough is a sudden expulsion of air from the lungs, typically caused by irritation or illness. Won't is a contraction of 'will not', which means that something is not going to happen. Go means to move from one place to another. Away means to a place that is far from the speaker.

Alternative Expressions

I have a cough that won't go away.

Meaning: This means that you have a cough that just keeps happening and you can't make it go away.

Choice of Words: Cough is the sound you make when you need to clear your throat. Won't means that something will not happen. Go away means to leave or disappear. When you put them together, "I have a cough that won't go away" means that you have a cough that keeps happening and won't stop.

My cough is hanging around.

Meaning: This means that your cough has been with you for a while and it's not going away.

Choice of Words: Hanging means to be suspended or attached to something. Around means to be in a particular place or area. When you put them together, "Hanging around" means to be present in a place or situation for an extended period of time. When you add My cough to the beginning of the sentence, it means that your cough has been present for a while and won't go away.

I've been coughing and coughing, but it won't budge.

Meaning: This means that you've been coughing a lot, but your cough is still there and won't go away.

Choice of Words: Coughing is the sound you make when you need to clear your throat. But is used to show a contrast between two ideas. Budge means to move or shift. When you put them together, "I've been coughing and coughing, but it won't budge" means that you've been coughing a lot, but your cough won't go away.

Related Expressions