do away
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle away
Meanings
Remove something completely or abolish it
Why “away”? A broom sweeps aside. Unwanted items are pushed out of the scene.
“They did away with the rule.”
“The school did away with uniforms.”
“The city wants to do away with parking fees.”
Murder someone (informal)
“They did away with the witness.”
“The gang did away with the informant.”
Don't confuse with
Do away means remove something completely or abolish it. Do over means repeat an action in order to do it correctly.
Test yourself
“They did away with the rule.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
do over
A contrast learners often mix up
Repeat an action in order to do it correctly; Decorate or refurbish a room
blow away
Same away pattern: removal
Be carried away by the wind; Greatly impress someone
brush away
Same away pattern: removal
Push aside dismissively
carry away
Same away pattern: removal
Become so excited or absorbed that you lose self-control
cart away
Same away pattern: removal
Take something or someone away in a vehicle, often without ceremony
clear away
Same away pattern: removal
Remove items to tidy a space
give away
Same away pattern: removal
Give something free of charge to someone; Reveal a secret, often unintentionally; Formally hand a bride to the groom at a wedding
shoo away
Same away pattern: removal
Drive away with gestures or noise
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