get away
HighInformal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
to escape or leave a place, especially to avoid something unpleasant or to take a holiday
To succeed in avoiding blame, punishment, or consequences; to manage to leave a situation; to take a short vacation; to be physically distant from something
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used as a phrasal verb with separable particle (get someone away). Can imply urgency, relief, or leisure depending on context. The noun form 'getaway' (one word) refers specifically to an escape or a short holiday.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use it similarly. 'Get away' for a holiday is slightly more common in UK English. The compound noun 'getaway' (as in getaway car) is equally common.
Connotations
In both, can connote escaping responsibility (negative) or taking a deserved break (positive).
Frequency
Very high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SUBJ + get away + (from + OBJ)SUBJ + get away + with + OBJ (crime/punishment)SUBJ + get away + for + TIME/PLACE (holiday)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “get away with murder”
- “get away scot-free”
- “get away from it all”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare in formal business writing. Used informally: 'We need to get away from this outdated strategy.'
Academic
Very rare in formal academic prose. Might appear in reported speech or informal commentary.
Everyday
Extremely common in spoken and informal written English across all contexts (escape, holiday).
Technical
Not used in technical contexts unless in a metaphorical sense (e.g., 'The particle gets away from the magnetic field').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We're hoping to get away to Cornwall for a fortnight.
- The thief tried to get away but was caught by a passer-by.
- You'll never get away with that lie!
American English
- Let's get away to the cabin for the weekend.
- The suspect got away from the police in the crowd.
- He thinks he can get away with not doing his homework.
adjective
British English
- They booked a last-minute getaway holiday to Spain.
- The getaway driver waited nervously.
American English
- We're planning a quick getaway to the mountains.
- Police are searching for the getaway car.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat wants to get away from the dog.
- We got away from the rain.
- I want to get away this summer.
- He managed to get away before the meeting ended.
- They got away for a few days to the seaside.
- You can't get away with being late every day.
- The politician tried to get away from the reporter's difficult questions.
- After the stressful project, she needed to get away from it all.
- How did he get away with submitting the report so late?
- The company's dubious accounting practices meant they got away with paying minimal tax for years.
- The novel's protagonist gets away to a remote island to confront his past.
- Few dictators ultimately get away with crimes against humanity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a prisoner GETting AWAY from jail. The word itself shows the action: GET (obtain) + AWAY (distance).
Conceptual Metaphor
FREEDOM IS MOVEMENT AWAY FROM CONFINEMENT; A HOLIDAY IS AN ESCAPE FROM ROUTINE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating word-for-word as 'получить прочь'.
- Do not confuse with 'get out' (выйти) which is for enclosed spaces.
- 'Get away with' meaning 'avoid punishment for' has no single Russian equivalent; use 'сойти с рук' or 'избежать наказания'.
- The holiday sense is closer to 'уехать/съездить отдохнуть' than just 'уйти'.
Common Mistakes
- *I got away the city. (Missing preposition: 'from the city')
- *He gets away to cheat on the test. (Incorrect pattern: should be 'gets away WITH cheating')
- Confusing 'get away' (escape/leave) with 'give away' (donate/reveal).
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'She always gets away with arriving late,' what does 'gets away with' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are related but different parts of speech. 'Get away' is a phrasal verb. 'Getaway' is a noun (e.g., 'a weekend getaway') or an adjective (e.g., 'a getaway car').
'Get away' is broader and often less dramatic; it can mean a simple departure or holiday. 'Run away' implies fleeing quickly on foot, often from home (especially for children). 'Escape' is more formal and often implies a planned effort to break free from confinement or danger.
It is generally considered too informal for most formal academic or business writing. Alternatives like 'depart', 'leave', 'escape', or 'vacation' are preferred in such contexts.
The pattern is 'get away with + NOUN / GERUND'. It means to avoid punishment or blame for something. E.g., 'He got away with the crime.' / 'She got away with cheating.'