Phrasal verb
get rid of sb/sth
Definition
phrasal verb. to throw something away, give it to someone else, or make someone leave because you do not want them anymore.
phrasal verb. to eliminate or discard an unwanted object, person, or situation; functions as a multi-word transitive verb with a fixed prepositional component.
Examples
“I need to get rid of these old clothes.”
“The company decided to get rid of the old machinery to make room for new technology.”
“After years of political instability, the citizens finally found a way to get rid of the corrupt administration through a peaceful democratic process.”
Examples
simple
“I need to get rid of these old clothes.”
contextual
“The company decided to get rid of the old machinery to make room for new technology.”
complex
“After years of political instability, the citizens finally found a way to get rid of the corrupt administration through a peaceful democratic process.”
Usage
always followed by the preposition 'of' and an object.
Teaching tip
students often forget the 'of'; anchor it by comparing it to 'dispose of' or 'clear out'.
Pitfall
I want to get rid my old car.
I want to get rid of my old car.
the phrase is incomplete without the preposition 'of' before the object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
rid of
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
get + rid + of + object