do away with: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘do away with’ mean?
The idiom "do away with" means to eliminate or get rid of something completely. It is often used to talk about getting rid of something that is considered unnecessary or undesirable.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "throw away" means to get rid of or discard something without considering its value or potential usefulness.
The idiom "dry up and blow away" means to disappear or become forgotten, often due to lack of attention or relevance. It conveys the idea of something becoming insignificant or irrelevant over time.
When used as an idiom, "drive off" means to leave quickly or abruptly in a vehicle. It is often used to describe someone leaving a place in a hurry.
The idiom "drive away" means to force someone or something to leave a place or to cause something to disappear or lessen in value or importance.
The idiom "down the drain" means that something has been wasted or lost, often due to a mistake or failure.
The idiom "die out" means to cease to exist or become extinct. It is often used to describe the decline or disappearance of a species, a language, or a cultural tradition.
The idiom "depart with" means to part with or give up something, often reluctantly or with some regret. It implies the act of letting go of something that was previously held or possessed.
The idiom "dead and buried" means that something or someone is finished or completely gone, often in a final and irreversible way.
The idiom "cut through" means to take a direct or efficient action to solve a problem, avoid unnecessary steps or get to the point quickly.
The idiom "cut out" means to stop or end something, often abruptly. It can also refer to removing or deleting something. For example, "The noise was so loud that I had to cut out the TV show I was watching." or "I cut out sweets from my diet to lose weight."
The Vanishing Enigma
The idiom "do away with" is a widely used expression in the English language. It means to eliminate or get rid of something or someone. This straightforward idiom is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
The origin and etymology of "do away with" cannot be traced back to a specific source or period, but it is part of the broader idiom "to do away." This idiom has been used since at least the early 19th century and has evolved over time.
The construction of "do away with" follows a simple verb-object pattern. The verb "do" is combined with the preposition "away" to create the idiomatic expression. Similar to other idioms in English, "do away with" uses the verb "do" with different prepositions for idiomatic meanings.
"Do away with" is often used when there is a need or desire to eliminate or remove something. It can refer to physical objects, like getting rid of clutter or disposing of unwanted items. It can also refer to abstract ideas or practices that are no longer considered necessary or beneficial. Additionally, this idiom can express the act of doing away with undesirable or unwanted individuals.
It's important to note that "do away with" is not meant to be taken literally. It does not endorse or advocate for physical harm. Instead, it is a figurative expression that conveys the idea of removal or elimination.
One related idiom to "do away with" is "throw away." Just like "do away with," "throw away" means to get rid of something. However, "throw away" specifically implies the action of discarding or disposing of something by throwing it in the trash or throwing it away from oneself. For example, instead of just putting old clothes in a donation bin, you may choose to throw them away if they are too damaged to be reused.
Another related idiom to "do away with" is "drive away." While "do away with" refers to eliminating or getting rid of something, "drive away" focuses on making someone or something leave or go away. It can refer to physically pushing or driving something away or causing someone to leave a place. For example, if there are a lot of mosquitoes in your backyard, you may light citronella candles to drive them away.
The third related idiom to "do away with" is "cross off." While "do away with" means to eliminate or get rid of, "cross off" specifically refers to marking or removing something from a list or schedule. It often implies completing a task or no longer considering something as relevant or necessary. For example, if you finish a task on your to-do list, you can cross it off to indicate its completion.
The idiom "do away with" continues to be a relevant and widely understood expression in contemporary English. It is a versatile idiom that can be used in various contexts to convey the idea of elimination or removal. By following AP style and the rules for editing articles, it is possible to enhance the clarity, coherence, and effectiveness of articles that discuss idioms like "do away with."
Example usage
1. The company decided to do away with its old manual filing system and transition to a digital database.
2. Some countries are considering doing away with traditional passports and implementing biometric identification systems.
3. The school board voted to do away with the outdated curriculum and introduce a more modern and comprehensive one.
More "Verb" idioms
