get away with something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'get away with something' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to someone doing something wrong or illegal, but without being caught or punished. For example, "John thought he could get away with stealing from the store, but when the police arrived he was arrested."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Want to get away with something naughty?

The Guardian

We couldn't get away with something like that.

The New York Times

For a moment there, I'd thought Craig was trying to get away with something.

The New Yorker

"They don't want anybody to think that they can get away with something like that.

The New York Times

I'd taken out £200 in cash, but secretly hoped I'd get away with something like £100.

The Guardian - Money

Maybe it's the thrill, the rush of trying to get away with something.

The New York Times

It is a place to get away (with something)." See the full list of winners on The Architect's Newspaper's website.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

We were really getting away with something".

The New York Times - Food

Getting away with something was worse than suffering the consequences.

The New Yorker

It just feels like I'm getting away with something.

The New York Times

It wasn't that he was getting away with something.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get away with something" when you want to convey that someone did something wrong and avoided punishment or negative consequences. Be mindful of the context and ensure it aligns with this meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "get away with something" when you simply mean someone succeeded in a difficult task. The phrase specifically implies wrongdoing or rule-breaking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get away with something" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the successful avoidance of negative consequences after performing a prohibited or questionable action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's acceptability and provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get away with something" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe successfully avoiding negative consequences for an action, typically one that is wrong or prohibited. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, providing numerous examples across diverse sources. While generally neutral in register, it is most frequently found in news and media. When using this phrase, remember that it implies wrongdoing and the successful evasion of punishment. Alternatives like "evade consequences" or "escape punishment" might be more suitable for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get off scot-free

Means escaping without any punishment or negative consequences whatsoever.

go unpunished

Emphasizes the lack of retribution for a misdeed.

escape punishment

Highlights the avoidance of a penalty or sanction for wrongdoing.

evade consequences

Focuses on the act of avoiding the results of one's actions, often negative.

slip through the cracks

Implies avoiding detection or consequences due to oversight or systemic failures.

walk away unscathed

Focuses on emerging from a situation without harm or damage, often when harm was expected.

dodge the bullet

Describes narrowly avoiding a negative outcome or danger.

act with impunity

Suggests a freedom from punishment or negative consequences, often implying arrogance.

skirt the rules

Implies bending or narrowly avoiding breaking the rules, without necessarily facing repercussions.

outsmart the system

Suggests using intelligence or cunning to avoid rules or consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "get away with something" in a sentence?

Use "get away with something" to describe someone successfully avoiding consequences for a misdeed. For example, "He thought he could "get away with lying", but his guilt eventually showed."

What's a more formal way to say "get away with something"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "evade consequences" or "escape punishment" for a similar meaning with a more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "getting away with something"?

Yes, "getting away with something" is the present participle form and is perfectly correct. For example, "She enjoyed "getting away with something" small, like sneaking extra cookies."

What's the difference between "get away with something" and "get away from something"?

"Get away with something" implies avoiding consequences for wrongdoing, while "get away from something" means escaping a place or situation. For example, "He wanted to "get away from the city" for a peaceful vacation" is different from "He hoped to "get away with the prank" without getting caught."