get away with — to escape punishment or criticism for something wrong you have done
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to escape punishment or criticism for something wrong you have done
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɡet əˈweɪ wɪð/
Example Sentences
- My cat somehow gets away with knocking things off the table because he's too cute to punish.
- The student thought he could get away with submitting the same essay twice, but the professor caught him.
- She gets away with arriving late to work because she's the boss's daughter.
get away with
VERB[/ɡet əˈweɪ wɪð/]
to escape punishment or criticism for something wrong you have done
He tried to get away with sneaking cookies before dinner, but mom saw everything.
When the getaway blocks your way, you can't get away with it!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrasal verb developed from the combination of three Germanic elements: 'get' (to obtain), 'away' (at a distance), and 'with' (in company with). The phrase evolved to mean escaping from a situation while retaining something illicit, as in evading consequences for wrongdoing—conceptually similar to fleeing a crime scene with evidence and achieving acquittal.
Breakdown
get (obtain, acquire) + away (depart, at distance) + with (in association with, by means of). The phrase combines these three elements to express the notion of escaping accountability while benefiting from or retaining something improper.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat somehow gets away with knocking things off the table because he's too cute to punish.”
“The student thought he could get away with submitting the same essay twice, but the professor caught him.”
“She gets away with arriving late to work because she's the boss's daughter.”
“You won't get away with eating my lunch again - I wrote my name on it this time!”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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