SpeakUp

Meaning trap

get away

escape

To leave or escape from a place, situation, or person, especially when it is difficult or you are not supposed to.

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

escape

To leave or escape from a place, situation, or person, especially when it is difficult or you are not supposed to.

get away (take a short holiday)

Another meaning of 'get away' is 'take a short holiday'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

View meaning map

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • The thief tried to get away, but the police caught him.daily life
  • If I ever feel stressed, I like to get away from the city and spend some time in nature.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: get away (from someone/something)

WrongThe thief got away of the guards.

RightThe thief got away from the guards.

It's 'get away FROM' someone/something — not 'of'.

Patternget away (from someone/something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The suspect succeeded in escaping from the police.

Natural The suspect got away from the police.

'Get away' is the natural verb for escaping; 'succeeded in escaping from' is a news bulletin.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • get away (from)
    from the policein timequicklywith the money

Don't confuse it

'Go away' means to leave, but 'get away' means to escape, often from something unwanted.

Try it in Daily Speak →