got away with it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got away with it" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone has escaped punishment or consequences for a wrongdoing or mistake. Example: "Despite the evidence against him, he somehow got away with it and faced no repercussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He got away with it.

Independent

And she nearly got away with it.

The New York Times

But Vanessa successfully got away with it.

Independent

She almost got away with it.

The New Yorker

Instead, London got away with it.

The Economist

"I got away with it," he thinks.

The New Yorker

And they got away with it.

The New York Times

And got away with it.

The Guardian

She got away with it.

The Washington Post

Amis got away with it.

The Guardian

Reagan got away with it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got away with it" to describe situations where someone avoided expected negative consequences, often due to luck or circumstance, not necessarily innocence. Ensure the context clarifies what 'it' refers to.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining what "it" refers to. Ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand what the subject successfully avoided. Without clear context, the phrase loses its impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got away with it" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a predicate within a sentence. It describes a situation where a person or entity avoids facing the expected negative consequences of their actions. Ludwig shows the expression used in various contexts to denote impunity or successful evasion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got away with it" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe situations where someone avoids the expected negative consequences of their actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, predominantly in news and media contexts. While versatile, clarity is crucial; ensure the context makes clear what "it" refers to. Related phrases include "evaded punishment" and "escaped scot-free", offering nuanced alternatives for different situations. When writing, be aware of the informal register and ensure the context is appropriate for its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escaped scot-free

Emphasizes a complete avoidance of any negative repercussions.

evaded punishment

Focuses specifically on avoiding penalization for an action.

beat the rap

Specifically refers to avoiding conviction for a crime.

dodged the bullet

Implies narrowly avoiding a negative outcome or danger.

managed to avoid repercussions

Formal way of saying that someone was able to not suffer consequences.

slipped through the net

Suggests a failure of a system to catch or prevent an action.

walked away unscathed

Highlights the absence of any damage or harm.

got off lightly

Indicates receiving a less severe punishment than expected.

skated by

Implies a minimal effort to avoid consequences.

flew under the radar

Suggests avoiding detection by remaining unnoticed.

FAQs

How can I use "got away with it" in a sentence?

Use "got away with it" to describe a situation where someone avoided consequences for an action. For instance, "Despite the evidence, he "got away with it"" indicates someone avoided punishment.

What are some alternatives to saying "got away with it"?

Alternatives include "evaded punishment", "escaped scot-free", or "dodged the bullet", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "gotten away with it" instead of "got away with it"?

While "gotten" is a past participle of "get", "got away with it" is the more common and accepted phrasing in most English-speaking regions. "Gotten away with it" is less frequently used, although grammatically acceptable in some dialects.

What does it mean when someone says "almost got away with it"?

"Almost "got away with it"" suggests that someone narrowly avoided consequences but ultimately faced them, indicating a failed attempt to escape repercussions.