get away with: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘get away with’ mean?
The idiom "get away with" means to do something wrong or illegal without being caught or punished.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "walk free" means to be acquitted or released from prison without facing punishment for a crime or wrongdoing.
The idiom "let off" means to release or allow someone to escape punishment, usually in a lenient or forgiving manner.
The idiom "interpret away" means to explain or rationalize something in a way that downplays or dismisses its importance or significance.
*interpret away* is a common expression in English, often used in conversation and media. It consists of the verb *interpret* and the adverb *away*. *Interpret* means to explain or understand the meaning of something, while *away* indicates continuous or intensive action.
The idiom "go wrong" means that something does not go as planned or expected, and results in a failure or a mistake.
The idiom "go without" is a commonly used expression in English, and its meaning has evolved over time. Here, we will delve into the etymology and usage of the idiom to gain a comprehensive understanding of its significance.
The idiom "gloss over" means to ignore, downplay or conceal a problem, mistake, or negative aspect of something, often with a superficial treatment or explanation.
The idiom "give someone the slip" means to escape or elude someone's pursuit or surveillance.
The idiom "give someone the slip" originated in the 19th century and is widely used in both British and American English. It means to evade or elude someone or something, often without their knowledge or detection. The word "slip" in this idiom refers to escaping from a pursuer or avoiding being caught.
The idiom "get what's coming to one" means to receive the punishment or consequences that one deserves for their actions or behavior.
The idiom "get taken in" means to be deceived or fooled by someone or something. It implies being tricked or misled into believing something that is not true.
Cracking Codes
The idiom *get away with murder* is a commonly used variation of the phrase *get away with* that adds emphasis to the act of avoiding punishment. The addition of *murder* intensifies the meaning of the idiom, suggesting that someone has not only escaped consequences, but has done so after committing a particularly serious or heinous act. This phrase is often used metaphorically to express frustration or disbelief at someone's ability to evade accountability for their actions.
Another related idiom is *walk free*, which is used to describe a situation where someone is able to avoid punishment or legal consequences altogether. This phrase often implies a sense of injustice or a failure of the justice system to hold someone accountable for their actions. It can be used in a wide range of contexts, from criminal cases where a defendant is acquitted despite evidence of guilt, to situations where someone avoids social or professional repercussions for their behavior.
The idiom *get away with murder* and the phrase *walk free* are both examples of how the idiom *get away with* can be expanded and modified to convey a stronger sense of the severity or injustice of the situation. These variations highlight the nuance and flexibility of idiomatic expressions, allowing speakers to convey a range of emotions and perspectives when discussing the concept of avoiding punishment or negative consequences.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "get away with" can be used in a sentence:
- He cheated on the test, but he got away with it because the teacher didn't notice.
- She stole some jewelry from the store and managed to get away with it without being caught.
- The company's CEO was involved in a scandal, but he got away with it by resigning before any legal action could be taken.
More "Crime" idioms
