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Phrasal verbs "get away with" vs "get off"

Differences between get away with and get off

Get away with means to do something wrong or illegal without being caught or punished, while get off means to avoid punishment or to be acquitted of a crime.

Meanings and Definitions: get away with vs get off

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

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?

Get off

  • 1Escape punishment.

    He GOT OFF on a technicality and left the court a free man.

  • 2Leave a bus, train, etc..

    We GOT OFF the bus and walked to my house.

  • 3Finish, leave work.

    I like to GET OFF early on Fridays.

  • 4Start a journey.

    We need to GET OFF early to avoid the rush hour traffic.

  • 5Help a baby or child sleep.

    I can't GET the kids OFF because of the noise from next door.

  • 6Orgasm, have sex.

    We GOT OFF last night.

  • 7Manage to fire a gun.

    She GOT OFF a few shots before she was arrested.

  • 8Stop talking on the phone.

    Let me know when he GETS OFF the phone as I need to make a call.

  • 9Write or send letters, messages, etc.

    I GOT three emails OFF before the meeting.

  • 10Say or write something funny.

    She GOT OFF some jokes at the start of her presentation.

Usage Examples: get away with, get off in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

get away with

Example

He tried to get away with cheating on the test.

Example

She always gets away with being late to work.

get off

Example

I always get off the bus at the park.

Example

She gets off the train at the city center.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get away with

pull off

To succeed in doing something difficult or risky.

Example

He managed to pull off the prank without getting caught by the teacher.

slip through the cracks

To go unnoticed or unaddressed due to a lack of attention or oversight.

Example

The error slipped through the cracks and was only discovered after the project was completed.

escape punishment

To avoid being penalized or disciplined for wrongdoing.

Example

He thought he could escape punishment by lying, but his parents found out the truth.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get off

walk free

To be acquitted or released from custody without facing any charges or penalties.

Example

The defendant was able to walk free after the jury found him not guilty.

be let off

To avoid punishment or to be excused from a penalty.

Example

She was let off with a warning instead of a fine for speeding.

be cleared

To be declared innocent or not guilty of a crime.

Example

After a thorough investigation, he was cleared of all charges and his record was expunged.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “off”

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

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

Both get away with and get off are commonly used in everyday conversation. However, get away with is more frequently used than get off.

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

Both get away with and get off are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are not suitable for formal settings like business or academic contexts. In such situations, using alternative expressions can convey a more professional tone.

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

The tone of get away with and get off can differ based on context. Get away with often carries a negative connotation, implying that someone has done something wrong or illegal. On the other hand, get off can have a neutral or positive tone, especially when referring to being acquitted of a crime.

get away with & get off: Synonyms and Antonyms

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