get off scot-free

get off scot-free

To escape punishment for a crime or wrongdoing; to be acquitted of charges for a crime. Mark's wealthy senator uncle influenced the jury, and he ended up getting off scot-free. My younger sister caused endless trouble as a child, but because she was the baby of the house, she usually got off scot-free. I can't believe the jury let that creep get off scot-free. How much more evidence did they need?

See also: get, off

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

get off/go ˌscot-ˈfree

(informal) escape from a situation without receiving the punishment you deserve: It seemed so unfair that she was punished while the others got off scot-free!This idiom comes from the old English word sceot, meaning a ‘tax’. People were scot-free if they didn’t have to pay the tax.

See also: get, go, off

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017