phrasal verb · neutral

get rid of

UK/ɡet rɪd ɒv/US/ɡet rɪd əv/GET·RID·OF

speakingtask2

to remove something or stop having it

Examples

We need to get rid of outdated regulations that slow down innovation.

I finally got rid of the old sofa last weekend.

How can we get rid of single-use plastics in our city?

Band 8 sentence

To reduce urban waste, the council must introduce incentives that encourage households to get rid of single-use plastics responsibly.

Collocations

  • get rid of something
  • get rid of pests / bad habits

Word family

get verbgetting verb - gerundgot verb (past, UK)gotten verb (past participle, US)

Common mistakes

We need to get rid the problem.We need to get rid of the problem.

I get rid my old phone yesterday.I got rid of my old phone yesterday.

Say it for a higher band

5throw away6remove7+get rid of

Synonyms

eliminate

remove

discard

Easily confused

get out of

I managed to get out of attending the training course by explaining I had another urgent commitment.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In get …

Learn it with its set