dispense with

Idioms  

1. Manage without, forgo, as in We can dispense with the extra help . Shakespeare had this idiom in Timon of Athens (3:2): “Men must learn now with pity to dispense.” [c. 1600]

2. Get rid of, do away with, as in The European Union is trying to dispense with tariff barriers . [Late 1500s]

3. Exempt one from a law, promise, or obligation, as in He asked the court to dispense with swearing on the Bible . This usage originally applied to religious obligations (to which the Pope granted dispensation ). [Early 1500s]

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Example Sentences

Jack dispensed with the card entirely and scrounged up only $2 from his room, which he handed to Finn with an unceremonious “here.”

From The Wall Street Journal

It also meant they could dispense with the services of a book keeper, saving over £6000 a year.

From BBC

Spurs, though, are yet to reach a point so far this season whereby they have given serious consideration to dispensing with Frank.

From BBC

In other places, the document dispenses with ambiguity altogether.

From Salon

This time, she dispensed with the dirt and the dogs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• abolish
• dispose of
• disregard
• do without
• forgo
• get rid of
• ignore
• relinquish
• waive