relieve (redirected from relieving)

relieve someone of something 

1. Lit. to unburden someone of something. Here, let me relieve you of that heavy box. At last, he could relieve himself of the problem.

2. . Fig. to lessen someone's responsibilities. I will relieve you of some of the responsibility you have carried for so long. Let me relieve you of that job. You have enough to do.

relieve one of one's duties

Euph. to fire someone; to dismiss someone from employment. I am afraid I must relieve you of your duties. After the scandal, she was relieved of her duties at the embassy.

See also: duty, one

relieve oneself

Euph. to urinate or defecate. He stopped by the side of the road to relieve himself. She needed badly to relieve herself, but there was no bathroom in sight.

See also: oneself

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relieve you of something

to steal something from you This morning, a pickpocket relieved me of $100.