Do away with
verb
To remove or get rid of something.
The government plans to do away with these old laws.
Often appears as...
- do away with rules
- do away with policy
verb
To kill or murder someone.
In the movie, the villain planned to do away with the hero.
Often appears as...
- do away with him
- do away with her
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To remove or get rid of something.
The government plans to do away with these old laws.
Often appears as...
- do away with rules
- do away with policy
verb
To kill or murder someone.
In the movie, the villain planned to do away with the hero.
Often appears as...
- do away with him
- do away with her
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Complete Elimination
The phrase emphasizes a full removal of something, often radically or thoroughly.
The school decided to do away with homework over the weekend.
Pro Tip 2/3Change Resistance
People may resist when familiar systems or traditions are 'done away with'.
The members were upset when the club did away with its annual picnic.
Pro Tip 3/3Progress or Modernization
Often used when updating or modernizing something by removing outdated parts.
The new manager wants to do away with all the old filing systems.
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