do away with
B2neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
to eliminate, remove, or abolish something
To get rid of, end, or kill something or someone; to dispose of or terminate a system, practice, object, or living being.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate, decisive, and sometimes permanent action. Can carry negative connotations when referring to killing, but neutral when referring to systems or practices.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The phrase is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used in a figurative sense (abolish systems) in formal British writing than in American, but the difference is minimal.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both corpora.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + do away with + [Direct Object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “do away with oneself (commit suicide)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The new CEO plans to do away with the old reporting structure."
Academic
"The treaty aimed to do away with nuclear weapons in the region."
Everyday
"Let's do away with the plastic bags and use reusable ones."
Technical
"The software update does away with the need for manual calibration."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council voted to do away with the outdated by-law.
- Modern technology has done away with the need for filing cabinets.
American English
- The company did away with its casual Friday policy.
- They want to do away with the electoral college.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We should do away with these broken chairs.
- The school did away with the strict uniform policy.
- The new app does away with complicated instructions.
- The government promised to do away with the inefficient tax system.
- Many activists believe we should do away with single-use plastics.
- The revolutionary process sought to do away with the old aristocratic privileges entirely.
- Some philosophers argue that we cannot do away with the concept of free will.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine throwing an old 'DO'll (a doll) AWAY, WITH force, to get rid of it.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISCARDING IS THROWING AWAY (treating an abstract concept like a physical object to be disposed of).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from Russian 'делать прочь с'. It is a fixed phrasal verb.
- Do not confuse with 'do with' (обойтись) or 'do without' (обойтись без).
- The phrase can mean 'kill', which is not obvious from the components.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *We must do away the old system. (Missing 'with')
- Incorrect: *They did away to the rule. (Wrong preposition)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'do away with' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but can be used in formal contexts when discussing the abolition of systems or practices. It is less formal when referring to getting rid of everyday objects.
Yes, it can be a euphemism for killing or murder, as in 'The villain planned to do away with the witness.' This usage is informal and dramatic.
They are often synonymous. 'Do away with' can sound more decisive, permanent, or formal, especially about systems. 'Get rid of' is more common and general for both objects and problems.
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. The object always comes after 'with'. (Correct: do away with something; Incorrect: *do something away with).