rid of (someone or something)

1. adjective No longer having someone or something as a concern, burden, or unwanted attachment. I'm so glad to be rid of that project. It had so many parts and felt like a burden for weeks! I can't wait until the day I am finally rid of this miserable illness. We've been scheming ways to get rid of Jacobson, but he holds too much power on the board.

2. verb To cause or allow someone, something, or oneself to be free of someone or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "rid" and "of." The president vowed to rid the country of criminals by any means necessary. I've been trying to rid myself of this cold for weeks. We'll happily rid you of that pesky journalist, but the means won't be exactly legal.

See also: of, rid

*rid of someone or something

free of someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) I'm trying to get rid of Mr. Smith. He's bothering me. I'll be happy when I get rid of my old car.

See also: of, rid

rid (oneself or something) of (someone or something)

to free oneself or something of someone or something; to deliver oneself or something from someone or something. The boys were not clever enough to rid themselves of Tom's little sister. Will we ever be able to rid this house of spiders?

See also: of, rid

rid of

1. To make someone or something become free of something else: The peace movement hoped to rid the world of violence. I was finally able to rid myself of all financial worries. I can't seem to get rid of this cold.

2. To throw out something; dispose of something. Used in the passive with get: I got rid of the old magazines that were cluttering up my office.

See also: of, rid

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References in periodicals archive

"I think getting rid of them all at once, though, would weaken the club and weaken the team for this season.

Nev: Solskjaer's right to avoid massive cull

ICCI President said that the best way of getting rid of foreign debts was to create a conducive environment for the growth of business activities and exports.

IMF program to pave way to obtain financial support from other institutions

The cost of getting rid of debt is the big differentiating factor, and it is what makes it easier to pay it off or not.

Cut down debt with long-term planning, self-discipline

Members of Senate emphasized on the ways and means to get rid of these increasing circular debts.

Senate shows apprehension on increasing circular debts

Many of the state institutions are defaulters of billions of rupees and there is no mechanism for getting rid of these huge debts.

Senate shows apprehension on increasing circular debts

The owners have stuck by Pardew, they could have quite easily said 'it hasn't worked, get rid of him', especially after everything that went on in Barcelona.

Tony states his case for club to stick

Summary: Shravanabelagola (Karnataka) [India] February 25 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the ideology of Jainism can get rid of the ongoing violence in the world.

'Jain ideology can get rid of ongoing violence in world'

Governor Hassan Joho has launched five fogging machines to get rid of mosquitoes following an outbreak of the chikungunya virus.

Mombasa fights chikungunya virus with Sh15m fogging machines

22 -- It looks like HTC is getting rid of the headphones jack on its upcoming smartphone.

Leaked HTC Bolt press renders suggest no headphone jack

Almost all the arguments used by the Leave campaign to get rid of Brussels can be used to get rid of rule by London Government.

Now we should pull away from London

The thinking is that all this waste comes from traders but many people planting in their gardens will have bags of soil and stones to get rid of and other DIY home improvement work may create bags of rubble.

WE SAY The policy of [...]

The reason is I cannot get rid of these wild garlic flowers.

YOUASK..

of Emmerdale's cast s for real Corrie fans ng rid of some of around the AFTER the revelations of Emmerdale's cast cull, there's great news for real Corrie fans as the bosses are getting rid of some of the dry wood floating around the Rovers.

Final Rovers Return for show's flops