get away
1. To evade or escape someone or something. The robber is getting away! Stop him! That party was so boring. I couldn't get away fast enough! I can't seem to get away from technical problems this morning.
2. To move away from someone or something. Well, get away from the cat if he's hissing at you. Kids! Get away from the street! Would you get away from the dessert table? You need to eat something for dinner first.
3. To move someone or something away from someone or something else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "get" and "away." Get the kids away from the street! Get those peanuts away from Tommy—he's allergic! Thank goodness you got the baby away from the top of the stairs before something awful happened!
4. To travel or take a trip. We should get away this summer, maybe to Aruba. I can't remember the last time we got away like this. Our honeymoon, maybe? Did you guys get away to the beach at all over the summer?
5. To escape from some predicament, accusation, or wrongdoing without incurring any penalty or punishment; to be acquitted of all charges for some crime or crimes. It sickens me that all these bankers that ruined our economy get away scot-free, even though they caused millions of people to suffer. Due to an error in the filing of evidence by police, the suspect ending up getting away scot-free. I can't believe the jury let that creep get away with murder. How much more evidence did they need?
6. To avoid the consequences of one's actions. I can't believe I got away without studying! Sure, I only got a B-, but it's still a passing grade! How long do you think you'll be able to get away with avoiding the dentist? Eventually, you're going to have a cavity—or five! You got lucky when you ran that red light. Next time you might not get away with it.
7. To be forgotten. I know I've met her before, but her name has gotten away from me. What was that album called? Gosh, it's gotten away from me now. If I give my kids one thing to do in a day, it always magically gets away from them until I come home from work.
8. To start something at a fast pace. The kids got away from the door as soon as I opened it. Wow, did you see those runners get away from the starting line? Watch the dogs—they're liable to get away as soon as you open the gate!
9. To stop it or go away. Typically used as an imperative. Get away—you're just being annoying. If he doesn't get away, I'm going to scream. Would you get away already? No one wants you here!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
get away
(from someone or something) 1. to escape from someone, something, or some place. Max did get away from the prison guard but was caught soon after. Mary couldn't get away from the telephone all morning.
2. . Go to away (from someone or something).
get away
to move away. (Often a command.) Get away! Don't bother me! I tried to get away, but he wouldn't let me.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
get away
1. Break free, escape, as in The suspect ran down the street and got away, or I wanted to come but couldn't get away from the office. [c. 1300] A variant is get away from it all, meaning "to depart and leave one's surroundings or problems or work behind." For example, Joe is taking a few days off-he needs to get away from it all.
2. Start out or leave quickly, as in The greyhounds got away from the starting gate, or I thought I had the answer but it got away from me.
3. Go, move off. For example,
Get away from my desk! or
Get away-I don't want you near that hot stove. [Late 1700s] Also see
get away with.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
get away
v.1. To leave or go away, especially to make an excursion: I'd really like to get away to a nice warm beach this year. We need a vacation; let's get away.
2. To cause something or someone to leave or go away: Get those ugly lizards away from here!
3. To leave a particular location where one has a responsibility or duty to be: Work has been busy, so I'll go to lunch with you if I can get away.
4. To escape or avoid capture: The thieves were able to get away in their car before anyone knew they had left.
5. To succeed in some wrongdoing without being accused or without being punished: The merchants always got away with overcharging the customers.
6. To succeed at something that would typically be expected to fail: We got away with driving the old car all the way across the country without once checking our oil.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.