What Does โGet sth away from sthโ Mean?
โGet sth away from sthโ means to move or remove something so it is no longer close to or near another object or person.
Introduction
The phrase โget sth away from sthโ is a useful English expression that helps describe moving or separating one thing from another. This phrasal verb is common in everyday conversation and writing. Understanding the โget sth away from sth meaningโ allows you to explain situations where you want to keep things apart, avoid danger, or simply organize items better. Whether you are telling someone to move a child away from a hot stove or asking to get clutter away from your workspace, this phrase is practical and easy to use. Learning how to use it correctly can improve your communication skills in both formal and informal contexts.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: get something away from something
- Type: Transitive (requires an object)
- Level: A2โB2
- Short meaning: To move or remove one thing so it is no longer near another
Structure (Grammar Rules)
The phrasal verb โget sth away from sthโ is separable, meaning the object (sth) can come between โgetโ and โawayโ or after the whole phrase.
- Pattern 1: get + something + away from + something
Example: Get the toys away from the baby. - Pattern 2: get away + from + something (when no direct object)
Example: The cat got away from the dog.
How to Use โGet sth away from sthโ?
Use this phrase when you want to describe physically moving an object or person so they are no longer close to another thing. It is often used for safety, cleanliness, or order. You can use it in commands, requests, or descriptions of actions.
For example, you might say, โPlease get the chemicals away from the children,โ to warn someone to keep dangerous items out of reach. Or, โI need to get the clutter away from my deskโ to explain tidying up.
Examples
Imagine a situation where you want to keep fragile items safe. You might say, โGet the glass away from the edge of the table.โ
- Can you get the dog away from the cat? They donโt get along well.
- She quickly got her phone away from the water before it could get damaged.
- We need to get the fire away from the dry grass to avoid a wildfire.
- He got the papers away from the wind so they wouldnโt blow away.
- Get the kids away from the street before the cars start coming.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes, learners confuse the word order or forget to include an object. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: Get away the toys from the baby.
Correct: Get the toys away from the baby. - Incorrect: Get the away toys from the baby.
Correct: Get the toys away from the baby. - Incorrect: Get away from the dog the cat.
Correct: Get the cat away from the dog.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include โmove sth away,โ โtake sth away,โ and โkeep sth away from sth.โ However, โget sth away from sthโ usually implies a deliberate action to separate or protect.
- Move sth away: More general, can mean any movement, not necessarily to keep safe.
- Take sth away: Often means to remove completely or to carry something off.
- Keep sth away from sth: Focuses on maintaining distance over time, not necessarily an immediate action.
For example, โKeep the dog away from the gardenโ means prevent access, while โGet the dog away from the gardenโ means move it right now.
Common Collocations
Here are some common objects used with โget sth away from sthโ and their meanings:
- Get children away from danger: Protect children by moving them from harm.
- Get clutter away from desk: Clean or organize workspace.
- Get smoke away from eyes: Move smoke so it doesnโt irritate.
- Get pets away from food: Prevent animals from eating or spoiling food.
- Get water away from electronics: Protect devices from damage.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of get sth away from sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using โget sth away from sthโ:
Mom: Can you get the scissors away from the baby?
Child: Sure, Iโll put them on the high shelf.
Mom: Thanks! We donโt want any accidents.
Practice
Try completing these sentences using โgetโ + object + โaway fromโ + object:
- Can you _________ the books _________ the wet floor?
- She quickly _________ her phone _________ the water.
- We need to _________ the kids _________ the street.
- He _________ the papers _________ the wind before they flew away.
FAQs
- What does โget sth away from sthโ mean? It means to move something so it is no longer near another thing.
- Is โget sth away from sthโ separable? Yes, you can place the object between โgetโ and โawayโ or after the phrase.
- Can I use this phrase for people? Yes, it is often used to talk about moving people away from danger or uncomfortable situations.
- What is a synonym for โget sth away from sthโ? โMove sth away from sthโ or โtake sth away from sthโ can be similar but have slightly different meanings.
- Is โget sth away from sthโ formal or informal? It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
