get rid of

Idioms  

1. Also, be rid of. Eliminate, discard, or free oneself from. For example, It's time we got rid of these old newspapers, or He kept calling for months, but now we're finally rid of him. The first expression dates from the mid-1600s, the second from the 1400s. Also see get out of, def. 5.

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Example Sentences

Hydrogen peroxide will get rid of algae blooms if enough is used, he said, but it has to be mixed into the water appropriately.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

That can happen in civil litigation: Sometimes you have a private agreement, where both sides agree that they want to get rid of the case before they make a federal case out of it.

From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026

"It's easier for older people to say get rid of it because they had a childhood without it - we've grown up with it," said Ruby, 14.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

“Cards have universal acceptance, and that makes it impossible to get rid of them,” McPherson said.

From MarketWatch • May 25, 2026

‘We’ve done everything he said. We’ve walked for two whole days. Crossed three valleys. Followed the stream he mentioned. Still nothing. I think he was just trying to get rid of us.’

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• dispose of
• dump
• eliminate
• remove