do away with

USAGE SUMMARY

"do away with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to get rid of or abolish something that is no longer necessary or wanted. For example, "The company decided to do away with the policy that restricted employee vacation time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Do away with pit stops.

Independent

It wouldn't do away with the battery.

The New York Times

Biotechnology will do away with species.

MIT Technology Review

"We must do away with child marriage.

The Guardian

Shall we do away with them too?

The Guardian - Opinion

And do away with these categories!

The Guardian

"He wanted to do away with death".

The New York Times

Do away with referees, penalties and fouls.

The New York Times

Do away with conversion to steam and dynamo generation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Therefore these views do away with both movement and becoming.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Should we do away with privacy?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do away with" when you want to express the idea of eliminating something completely, whether it's a rule, a system, or even an abstract concept. Be sure the context implies a definitive end.

Common error

While "do away with" is widely understood, it can sound too informal in some professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "eliminate", "abolish", or "eradicate" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do away with" functions as a phrasal verb, meaning it's a verb combined with a preposition to create a new meaning. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies the action of eliminating or abolishing something. The examples illustrate its usage across diverse topics, from political regulations to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

24%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do away with" is a commonly used phrasal verb that signifies eliminating or abolishing something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable, with a neutral tone that suits diverse contexts from news reports to scientific papers. While versatile, consider more formal alternatives like "eliminate" or "abolish" in professional or academic writing. Its high frequency in News & Media sources, as identified by Ludwig, reflects its role in discussions about policy changes and societal improvements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate

This single-word alternative provides a direct and concise substitute, focusing on the act of removal.

abolish

This word emphasizes the formal cancellation of a law, system, or practice.

get rid of

An informal phrase that suggests discarding or removing something unwanted.

remove

This suggests taking something away, often physically or conceptually.

eradicate

This term implies a complete and thorough removal, often of something harmful or undesirable.

terminate

This suggests bringing something to an end, often in a formal or official way.

obliterate

This indicates destroying something completely so that nothing remains.

exterminate

This word often refers to the killing of pests or unwanted animals, but can also mean complete destruction.

stamp out

This phrase implies forcefully suppressing or eliminating something negative.

put an end to

This phrase signifies stopping something from continuing.

FAQs

How can I use "do away with" in a sentence?

You can use "do away with" to suggest the removal or elimination of something. For example, "The company decided to do away with unnecessary meetings" or "Many people want to "do away with capital punishment"".

What are some alternatives to "do away with"?

Some alternatives to "do away with" include "eliminate", "abolish", "get rid of", or "remove". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "do away with" formal or informal?

"Do away with" is generally considered to be somewhat informal. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives like "eliminate" or "abolish" may be preferable in professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "do away with" and "get rid of"?

While both "do away with" and "get rid of" mean to eliminate something, "do away with" often implies a more deliberate or systematic removal. "Get rid of" can sometimes refer to simply discarding something unwanted, without necessarily implying a formal process.