Phrasal verbs "do away with" vs "get away with"

Differences between do away with and get away with

Do away with means to eliminate or get rid of something completely, while get away with means to escape punishment or consequences for something.

Meanings and Definitions: do away with vs get away with

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Do away with

  • 1Abolish, get rid of.

    The United Kingdom DID AWAY WITH the death penalty in 1965.

Get away with

  • 1Not get caught, criticised or punished for doing something wrong.

    Thieves GOT AWAY WITH two Picassos, which were never found.

  • 2Achieve something, despite not doing it correctly or properly.

    Do you think we could GET AWAY WITH using the cheaper product?

Usage Examples: do away with, get away with in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

do away with

Example

Many people believe we should do away with plastic bags to protect the environment.

Example

The government does away with outdated laws to improve efficiency.

get away with

Example

He tried to get away with cheating on the test.

Example

She always gets away with being late to work.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Do away with

To remove or get rid of something completely.

Example

The company decided to eliminate outdated policies to foster a more dynamic work environment.

To officially end or put an end to something, such as a law or system.

Example

The government decided to abolish the death penalty after years of debate and controversy.

To completely destroy or eliminate something harmful or unwanted.

Example

The health organization worked hard to eradicate the disease from the region and succeeded after years of effort.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get away with

To avoid being punished or facing consequences for something wrong or illegal.

Example

He thought he could escape punishment for stealing the money, but the police caught him eventually.

To succeed in doing something difficult or risky without being caught or punished.

Example

She managed to pull off the prank without anyone noticing, but she felt guilty afterwards.

To go unnoticed or unaddressed due to a mistake or oversight.

Example

The error slipped through the cracks and caused a major problem for the company later on.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “do”

Differences in do away with vs get away with: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: do away with or get away with?

In daily conversation, people use get away with more often than do away with. This is because get away with is used in a variety of situations where someone has done something wrong and hasn't been caught or punished. Do away with is not used as much in everyday conversation. It's mainly used when we're talking about getting rid of something completely. So, while both phrases are used, get away with is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of do away with and get away with

Do away with and get away with are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of do away with and get away with

The tone of do away with and get away with can differ based on context. Do away with often carries a determined or resolute tone when related to eliminating something, while get away with typically has a sneaky or guilty tone, especially when referring to escaping punishment.

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