Get away means to escape or flee danger or pursuit. In a milder sense, it also describes a short break or change of scene: get away for the weekend.
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get away (from + person/place/situation) (escape); get away (for a few days) (go on a short break)
- The robbers got away before the police arrived.
- I really need to get away from my desk for ten minutes.
- We're planning to get away to the coast for a long weekend.
What changed
First versionThe thieves hid in a stolen car before anyone could call the police.
RevisionThe thieves got away in a stolen car before anyone could call the police.
Hide is the obvious choice for describing someone escaping notice, but hid in a stolen car suggests the thieves were sitting hidden inside the car somewhere nearby. Escaping and disappearing from the scene is got away: got away in a stolen car.
Get away with adds the idea of avoiding punishment. It's no longer about fleeing from somewhere — it's about a bad action that had no consequences: he got away with cheating. Get away on its own says nothing about whether anything wrong happened — it's simply about leaving or escaping.
Your turn
After three stressful months at work, all I wanted was to ___ for a few days and relax.
Show the answer
get away — After three stressful months, the person just needs a short break and a change of scene, which is get away. Get out means to leave or exit a specific place and doesn't carry the idea of a holiday.
Describe where you'd like to get away to for a few days to relax. Say the place and what exactly you're tired of.
I'd love to get away to the mountains for a few days, because I'm tired of endless work emails and online meetings.
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