ENGLISH
REFERENCE

get away

phr. v..
A2 Elementary Oxford General-service

phr. v.. to leave a place or escape from someone who is chasing you. You also use it to talk about going on a holiday to relax.

phr. v.. to escape from custody or pursuit; to leave a location, often for the purpose of taking a vacation or finding respite.


SIMPLE

The bank robbers managed to get away in a stolen car.

CONTEXTUAL

I have been working so hard lately that I really need to get away for the weekend.

COMPLEX

Despite the heavy security presence at the perimeter, the prisoner managed to get away under the cover of darkness.

Origin

get + away

Particles
away
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
get + away (+ from + object)
Usage

often used with 'from' when mentioning the person or place being left behind.

Teaching tip

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.

Pitfall

The thief got away the police.The thief got away from the police.when 'get away' means escape, you must use the preposition 'from' before the person or thing you are escaping.

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