ENGLISH
REFERENCE

getaway

n. · adj.
US //ˈɡɛtəˌweɪ// UK //ɡˈɛtəwˌeɪ// get·away
  1. 1 a short holiday (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    a short trip or holiday, often to a quiet or relaxing place.

    a brief vacation or recreational trip, typically taken to escape a routine or stressful environment.

    Example

    We are planning a quick weekend getaway to the mountains to see the snow.

    Example

    The coastal cottage serves as the perfect weekend getaway for city dwellers seeking a reprieve from the relentless pace of urban life.

  2. 2 an escape (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of escaping from a place, especially after committing a crime.

    the act of escaping or departing rapidly, particularly from a scene of a crime or a restrictive situation.

    Example

    The bank robbers made a clean getaway before the police arrived.

    Example

    Despite the heavy security presence at the perimeter, the prisoners managed a daring getaway under the cover of a heavy midnight fog.

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  1. 3 used for escaping (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describing something used to help someone escape, like a car.

    pertaining to or used in an escape; almost exclusively used as an attributive adjective modifying nouns like 'car', 'driver', or 'vehicle'.

    Example

    The thieves left their getaway car in a dark alley two miles from the store.

    Example

    Witnesses reported seeing a silver sedan acting as the getaway vehicle, though the license plate had been obscured by mud.

    Usage

    Always used before a noun.

Origin

Deverbal from get away.

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