# get out of

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/get-out-of
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to avoid doing something that you do not want to do, often by making an excuse.

For teachers: to evade a responsibility, duty, or commitment through various means, often involving a pretext or excuse.

## Examples

- I managed to get out of the meeting by saying I was sick.
- She tried to get out of going to the party because she was feeling very tired.
- The company attempted to get out of its contractual obligations by citing a minor technicality in the original agreement.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He got out to do the dishes." but "He got out of doing the dishes." — the preposition 'of' is required, and the following verb must be in the -ing form.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form) representing the avoided task.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'escape' (physical) and 'avoid' (general); 'get out of' specifically implies a social or professional duty that the person is trying to dodge.

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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.