# dispose of sb/sth

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dispose-of-sb-sth
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to get rid of something you do not want or need; it can also mean to defeat an opponent easily.

For teachers: to get rid of something, especially by throwing it away or transferring it to another; can also function as a transitive verb meaning to defeat or kill someone.

## Examples

- Please dispose of your rubbish in the bins provided.
- The company was fined for failing to dispose of chemical waste in a safe and legal manner.
- The champion managed to dispose of his challenger in the first round, demonstrating a clear superiority in both speed and technique.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He disposed the old documents." but "He disposed of the old documents." — the verb 'dispose' requires the preposition 'of' when it means to get rid of something.

## Usage notes

- always requires the preposition 'of' before the object.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'throw away' (more informal) and 'get rid of' (general purpose); 'dispose of' is the standard term in formal, technical, or legal contexts regarding waste.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.