get away

present singular third person gets away · participle present getting away · past got away · UK participle past got away · US participle past gotten away

1. literallyTo move away (from).

   Get away from me!

   1 more example

   Get away from the edge of the cliff!

2. To avoid capture; to escape; to flee (from).

   Surround the bank! Don't let the robber get away!

   1 more example

   I almost caught the critter, but it got away from me.

3. To take a break from one's present circumstances; to journey (to), especially on holiday.

   Next weekend we're hoping to get away to the seaside.

   1 more example

   This place is really getting me down. I need to get away for a while.

4. To start moving; to depart.

   The train got away exactly on time.

   2 more examples

   I couldn't get away sooner because my new well was coming in at Coyote Hills and I had to see about it.

   2007 September 27, Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood, spoken by Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis), distributed by Paramount Vantage & Miramax Films

   In 1965, all Coventry's banks closed at noon on Christmas Eve for the first time, to "enable bank staff to get away at a reasonable time".

   2023 December 27, David Turner, “Silent lines...”, in RAIL, number 999, page 30

5. To slip from one's control.

   I can't cope any more. Things are getting away from me.

1. Expressing disbelief.

   You bought that for twenty pounds? Get away!