Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - take away from

If something takes away from an achievement, success, or quality, or takes something away from it, it makes it seem lower in value or worth than it should be. ‘It’s starting to rain again.’—‘Not enough to take away from the charm of the scene.’... The victory looks rather hollow. That takes nothing away from the courage and skill of the fighting forces. = detract PHRASAL VERB: V P P n, V n P P n