get away
- 01 A2 Elementary
to escape from someone or something that is chasing you.
to escape from capture or pursuit. This sense is intransitive but often takes 'from' to specify the source of confinement.
Simple“The thief managed to get away before the police arrived at the shop.”
In context“The suspect managed to get away through a narrow alleyway, successfully evading the officers who had been pursuing him on foot.”
Synonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
to go somewhere for a holiday or a short break to relax.
to leave one's home or usual environment for the purpose of rest or vacation.
Simple“We are hoping to get away for a few days this summer.”
In context“After a particularly stressful quarter at the firm, the partners decided to get away to the coast for a long weekend of rest.”
- 03 A2 Elementary
to move yourself away from a person or a specific spot.
to physically distance oneself from a person, object, or location.
Simple“Get away from the stove while it is still hot.”
In context“The security guards instructed the crowd to get away from the barrier to ensure the motorcade could pass safely.”
distinguish between the literal sense of escaping a pursuer and the metaphorical sense of going on holiday; the noun form 'getaway' is also a common related compound.
get + away
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.