Get rid of

Meaning

The idiom "get rid of" means to remove, discard or do away with something. It can also mean to drive away or expel someone or something from a place. The figurative meaning is often used to describe an action that is necessary to eliminate a problem, danger or unwanted situation.

Usage

• I need to get rid of these old clothes before they take up too much space in my closet. (literal)
• We need to get rid of this bad habit if we want to improve our health. (metaphorical)
• The police were able to get rid of the suspect after he was caught on camera. (literal)
• We need to get rid of this negative thinking before it affects our productivity at work. (metaphorical)
• The company decided to get rid of their outdated technology and invest in new equipment. (literal)

Roots and History

The idiom "get rid of" has its roots in Old English where it was spelled as "gētan ridan". Over time, the meaning and usage of this idiom have evolved to reflect changes in language and culture. In contemporary language, "get rid of" is a common phrase used to describe an action that is necessary to eliminate a problem or unwanted situation.

Synonyms in English

• Remove
• Discard
• Do away with
• Get rid of
• Drive away

Synonyms in other languages

• French: éliminer, supprimer, expulser
• Spanish: eliminar, borrar, expulsar
• German: entfernen, aussondern, ausschließen
• Italian: eliminare, scartare, espulsor

Similar Idioms

• green thumb

• go after

• greenhorn