# get away from

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/get-away-from
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to leave a place or person, especially when it is difficult to do so; to escape a situation or a feeling.

For teachers: to escape or distance oneself from a location, person, or abstract concept; often used when the departure requires effort or is a response to pressure.

## Examples

- I need to get away from the office for a few days.
- It is hard to get away from the noise of the city when you live downtown.
- The politician tried to get away from the controversial topic, but the journalists continued to press for a direct answer.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He wants to get away of his problems." but "He wants to get away from his problems." — the preposition 'from' must be used to indicate the source or thing being avoided, not 'of'.

## Usage notes

- always followed by an object representing the thing or person being left behind.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'get away' (intransitive, meaning to go on holiday or escape generally) to show how 'from' introduces the specific source of stress or confinement.

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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.