rid of responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rid of responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the desire to eliminate or escape from obligations or duties. Example: "After years of hard work, he finally felt rid of responsibility and was ready to enjoy his retirement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In each situation, bankruptcy gave the airlines the chance to cancel their debt, get rid of responsibility for employee pensions and renegotiate more favorable contracts with labor unions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

One was that Mullah Omar, and the wider clergy, wanted to try to rid themselves of responsibility for Mr. bin Laden without explicitly breaking previous assertions that Islamic injunctions would not permit them to endanger their "guest".

The New York Times

Mr. Flake, the Arizona Republican and spending critic, urged the president to stick to his guns, saying he would either have succeeded in stopping Congress from overspending or would have rid himself of responsibility for the highway measure.

The New York Times

She wants to be conventional and, above all, she wants to be rid of the responsibility for an irresponsible parent.

The Guardian - Books

Many Pagford residents want rid of any responsibility for the Fields and its inhabitants – lowlife, drug-addicted scroungers, as they see it – by means of a boundary change, but a small faction of liberals see it as their duty to include and assist the Fields' residents.

Independent

However, the town was eager to get rid of the responsibility to maintain the two-decade old structure, and continued to try.

Wikipedia

Corbyn wanted to square the circle by getting rid of collective responsibility – drop the pretence that cabinet members all totally agree on everything like some sort of hive mind and face up to the fact that political differences happen.

Vice

While some companies have steered clear of the Tea Party-backed Prop 23, which seems to be losing popularity every week, California companies interested in slowing down AB32 and maybe ridding themselves of responsibility for pollution altogether have been quietly funneling money to Prop 26.

Huffington Post

The acting chairman, Fernando Ferrer, has made clear that he expects to be rid of the responsibilities shortly.

The New York Times

They will also have to be answered by those who instead of debating such issues in the parliament get rid of their responsibilities by issuing emotionless condolence messages.

BBC

Get rid of targets, return responsibilities and accountabilities to families, and let the professionals (teachers) advise.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify what you are being "rid of". For example, instead of just saying "rid of responsibility", specify "rid of parental responsibility" or "rid of financial responsibility".

Common error

Avoid using "rid of responsibility" interchangeably with phrases like "free of charge". While both use "of", they have entirely different meanings. Ensure the context clearly indicates the relinquishing of a duty, not the absence of a cost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rid of responsibility" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the removal or release from a duty, obligation, or burden. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rid of responsibility" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that describes the act of freeing oneself from a duty or obligation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in news and media contexts, with neutral formality. Related phrases include "free from responsibility" and "relieved of responsibility", each offering slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being relinquished. Avoid confusing it with phrases that sound similar but have different meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

free from responsibility

Emphasizes the state of being without responsibility, suggesting a complete absence of obligation.

relieved of responsibility

Highlights the feeling of ease and reduced burden after being released from a responsibility.

absolved of responsibility

Implies a formal or official release from blame or duty.

exempt from responsibility

Suggests a specific exception from a general duty or obligation.

unburdened by responsibility

Focuses on the removal of a heavy load or worry associated with responsibility.

discharged from responsibility

Indicates a formal or official release from a duty, often within an organizational context.

clear of responsibility

Emphasizes the lack of involvement or accountability in a particular matter.

excused from responsibility

Suggests that someone has been forgiven or allowed to not fulfill a duty.

released from obligations

Highlights the termination of formal agreements or duties.

shirk responsibility

Describes the act of avoiding or neglecting one's duties, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "rid of responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "rid of responsibility" to describe a situation where someone is freed from a duty or obligation. For example, "Bankruptcy allowed the airlines to get "rid of responsibility" for employee pensions."

What's the difference between "rid of responsibility" and "free from responsibility"?

While both phrases suggest a lack of obligation, "rid of responsibility" implies an active removal or release from a burden, while "free from responsibility" indicates a state of not having the burden in the first place. The phrase "free from responsibility" emphasizes the state of being without obligation.

What are some alternatives to "rid of responsibility"?

Alternatives include "relieved of responsibility", "absolved of responsibility", or "exempt from responsibility", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "absolved of responsibility" instead of "rid of responsibility"?

Yes, "absolved of responsibility" carries a more formal and often legal or official tone compared to "rid of responsibility", which is more general and can be used in everyday contexts.