phrasal verb🧩 phrasal verb

get rid of

to dispose of something

What it means

To dispose of, remove, or free yourself from something or someone unwanted. It works for physical things, problems, habits, and even people.

Examples

  • I finally got rid of all those old textbooks from university.
  • She can't get rid of this cough no matter what she tries.
  • We need to get rid of this software before the audit.
  • He got rid of his car and started cycling everywhere instead.

Where it comes from

A three-word phrasal verb that always stays in the order 'get rid of'. The 'rid' comes from Old Norse 'rythja', meaning to clear.

Related phrasal verbs

#throw away#do away with#put away#cut back on

🧩 Think you know your phrasal verbs?

Take the Phrasal Verbs Test — 20 terms, instant result, no signup.

Take the test

Built by the team behind Deep In.