Can "do away with" be used in formal writing?

Yes, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Is "do away with" separable?

No, the phrase is inseparable; the object must follow "do away with."

Can "do away with" mean "to kill"?

In very informal or old-fashioned contexts, yes, but today it mostly means to remove or abolish.

What is the difference between "do away with" and "throw away"?

"Do away with" means to eliminate or abolish, while "throw away" means to discard something physically.

Can I use "do away with" for habits?

Yes, it is common to use it when talking about stopping habits or behaviors.

Do away with sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use Correctly

What Does “Do away with sth” Mean?

“Do away with sth” means to get rid of something or to stop using it. It is a common phrasal verb used to express the idea of eliminating or abolishing something.

Introduction

The phrase “do away with sth” is a useful phrasal verb in English that means to remove, eliminate, or abolish something. Understanding the “do away with sth meaning” helps learners express ideas about stopping certain actions, getting rid of objects, or ending habits. This phrase is often used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for everyday conversation and writing. Whether you want to say that a company should stop using old technology or that a rule should be abolished, “do away with sth” is the perfect phrase to use. Knowing how to use it correctly will improve your fluency and help you sound more natural in English.

Quick Info Box

Phrasal verb: do away with sth (do away with something)
Type: transitive
Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
Short meaning: to get rid of or abolish something

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Do away with sth” is a transitive and inseparable phrasal verb. This means the object (something abbreviated as “sth”) always comes after the whole phrase.

Correct pattern: do away with + something
Incorrect pattern: do away + something + with

Example: “They want to do away with outdated rules.”

How to Use “Do away with sth”?

Use “do away with sth” when you want to talk about removing or abolishing something completely. It is often used in discussions about rules, laws, habits, or objects. The phrase usually refers to ending something permanently.

For example, you might say, “The school decided to do away with uniforms,” meaning the school stopped requiring uniforms. It is common in both spoken and written English.

Examples

Here are some natural sentences using “do away with sth in a sentence”:

The company plans to do away with paper invoices and switch to digital billing.
We should do away with old traditions that no longer make sense.
The government wants to do away with unnecessary taxes to help businesses.
Many people believe we should do away with single-use plastics to protect the environment.
They decided to do away with the outdated software and install a new system.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes, learners confuse the word order or the preposition when using this phrase. Here are examples of incorrect and correct usage:

Incorrect: “We should do away the old rules with.”
Correct: “We should do away with the old rules.”
Incorrect: “They want to do away old policies.”
Correct: “They want to do away with old policies.”

Remember, “with” always follows “do away” and comes before the object.

Differences / Synonyms

Other phrasal verbs and expressions can be similar but have subtle differences:

Throw away sth: means to discard something physically, usually garbage.
Get rid of sth: is similar to “do away with,” but more informal and used for both objects and habits.
Abolish: is more formal and often used for laws or systems.

While “throw away” focuses on physically discarding, “do away with” emphasizes stopping or ending something completely.

Common Collocations

Here are some common objects and ideas that often appear with “do away with”:

Rules – to remove or cancel regulations
Traditions – to stop old customs or practices
Taxes – to abolish certain taxes or fees
Uniforms – to stop requiring specific clothing
Paperwork – to eliminate unnecessary forms or documents

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of do away with sth:

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “do away with sth”:

Anna: Have you heard that the school wants to do away with uniforms?

Ben: Really? That would make mornings easier for students.

Anna: Yes, they think it will help students feel more comfortable.

Ben: I agree. Doing away with uniforms sounds like a good idea.

Practice

Choose the correct sentence:

A) The company decided to do away the old procedures.
B) The company decided to do away with the old procedures.
C) The company decided to do away old procedures with.

Answer: B

FAQs

Q: Can “do away with” be used in formal writing?
A: Yes, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Q: Is “do away with” separable?
A: No, the phrase is inseparable; the object must follow “do away with.”
Q: Can “do away with” mean “to kill”?
A: In very informal or old-fashioned contexts, yes, but today it mostly means to remove or abolish.
Q: What is the difference between “do away with” and “throw away”?
A: “Do away with” means to eliminate or abolish, while “throw away” means to discard something physically.
Q: Can I use “do away with” for habits?
A: Yes, it is common to use it when talking about stopping habits or behaviors.