relieve themselves of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relieve themselves of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of freeing oneself from a burden, responsibility, or obligation. Example: "The committee decided to relieve themselves of the outdated policies that were hindering progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"People come out here to relieve themselves of depression and anxiety they feel all year long.

The New York Times

Often, patients have to get out of bed several times at night, to relieve themselves of their disagreeable sensations.

Parkinsonism & Related Disorders

They are last-chance invitations to visitors to anonymously relieve themselves of any contraband intended for an inmate.

The New York Times

Ultimately flexibility is the factor to ensure children receive necessary childcare and parents relieve themselves of the stress that combining work and childcare can create.

The Guardian

Carr is referring to the many Mumbaikars who hire cooks, cleaners, childminders and chauffeurs to relieve themselves of many of life's daily stresses.

The Guardian

Under her proposal, employers who do not administer their own health care plans could relieve themselves of liability by assigning authority to a "decision maker," like an insurer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

In the case of Kay's digital works, the spaces are almost completely vacant except for his spindly, veined humanoids who seem at ease to settle in for a burger lunch, head to the grocery store, and relieve themselves on top of gritty highways.

Vice

Other attendees said lines for the portable toilets were so long, they were forced to relieve themselves on the side of the road.

The Guardian - Music

To make matters worse, there were no bathrooms on the bus; anyone who needed to go was forced to run off the vehicle as it inched forward, relieve themselves on the side of the highway, then jump back on board before it moved again.

The Washington Post

Activists in India are particularly focused on this issue because women are often reluctant to relieve themselves out of fear and a number of NGOs have already devised safe and low-cost restrooms that can easily be introduced.

HuffPost

Just over 60 per cent of couples who had relieved themselves of unwanted gifts said that they had done so online.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relieve themselves of" when you want to emphasize the act of freeing oneself from something burdensome, whether it be a responsibility, obligation, or stressor. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being relinquished.

Common error

Avoid using "relieve themselves of" when a simpler verb like "remove" or "eliminate" would suffice. The phrase implies a significant burden or responsibility being lifted, so ensure the situation warrants this level of emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relieve themselves of" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of freeing oneself from something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relieve themselves of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the action of freeing oneself from a burden, responsibility, or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while not extremely common, it appears in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it can lean toward formal. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the emphasis on a significant burden being lifted, and consider alternatives like "free themselves from" or "rid themselves of" if a simpler expression is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

free themselves from

Focuses on the act of liberation from something.

rid themselves of

Emphasizes the removal of something unwanted.

absolve themselves of

Highlights the release from blame or guilt.

discharge themselves of

Suggests the fulfillment of a duty or obligation.

divest themselves of

Implies a formal or legal relinquishment.

unburden themselves of

Conveys a sense of emotional or psychological relief.

shake off

Informal way to express getting rid of something burdensome.

relinquish

Focuses on giving something up, often willingly.

cast off

Emphasizes the act of rejecting or abandoning something.

offload

Suggests shifting a burden onto someone or something else.

FAQs

What does "relieve themselves of" mean?

The phrase "relieve themselves of" means to free oneself from a burden, responsibility, or obligation. It suggests the removal of something that has been weighing someone down.

When is it appropriate to use "relieve themselves of" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "relieve themselves of" when emphasizing the act of freeing oneself from a significant burden or responsibility. Consider alternatives like "free themselves from" or "rid themselves of" for simpler situations.

Are there any formal alternatives to "relieve themselves of"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "absolve themselves of" or "discharge themselves of", which imply a more official or legal release from a duty or obligation.

How can I avoid misusing "relieve themselves of"?

Ensure that the context warrants the emphasis on a significant burden being lifted. If a simpler action like "remove" or "eliminate" is more fitting, avoid using "relieve themselves of".