get off — avoid punishment or escape a difficult situation
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+informaloccasional
To avoid being punished or to escape from a difficult situation without serious consequences.
Say it like a native
Textbook He was acquitted and received no penalty whatsoever.
Native He got off with just a warning.
'Get off' is the natural verb for escaping serious punishment; 'acquitted and received no penalty' is legal language.
Pattern: get off (with [punishment])
In use
- He got off with just a warning after breaking the rule.law
- Some people think celebrities get off more easily when they break the law because they are famous.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ He got off from the charges.
✓ He got off the charges. / got off lightly.
'Get off' takes the charge directly, or 'get off + lightly/with X'.
Common collocations
get off (lightly/with)— lightly, with a warning, scot-free, the charge
Don't confuse it
'Get away with' is similar but more general; 'get off' often refers to legal or official situations.
Related
- get off (leave a bus, train, plane, etc.) — Another meaning of 'get off' is 'leave a bus, train, plane, etc.'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.