do away

get rid of something, especially a rule or system

B2

What does "do away with sth" mean?

To do away with something means to completely abolish or permanently remove it — typically a rule, law, system, or established practice. The phrase carries a sense of decisiveness: whoever is doing away with something has decided it is no longer needed, useful, or acceptable. It often implies that the thing being removed is outdated or unpopular, which gives the phrase a slightly assertive or critical edge. You'll hear it in news articles, political debates, and everyday conversation — for example, when people argue about whether governments should do away with tuition fees or whether schools should do away with strict dress codes. It sits between the more formal 'abolish' and the more casual 'get rid of', making it a flexible and widely useful expression.

Examples

How to use it

subject + do away with + object

The most common pattern: a person, group, or organisation permanently removes a rule, system, or practice.

The new government wants to do away with the inheritance tax.

object + be done away with

The passive form is common in journalism and policy discussions, often without mentioning who made the change.

Compulsory military service was done away with after years of public pressure.

modal + do away with + object

Modal verbs such as 'should', 'could', or 'need to' are frequently used when arguing for abolition.

We should do away with these outdated entrance exams as soon as possible.

subject + do away with + it/them

Pronouns always come after the full three-part structure, never between the parts.

The regulations are causing too many problems — they need to do away with them.

Common Collocations

death penaltyold rulesdress codebureaucracytuition feesoutdated laws

Common Mistakes

Dropping 'with'

Because this is a three-part phrasal verb, all three parts are required. Leaving out 'with' produces a sentence that sounds unnatural and won't be understood in this sense.

✗ The council decided to do away the old parking rules.
✓ The council decided to do away with the old parking rules.
Inserting the object in the wrong place

Unlike some two-part phrasal verbs, 'do away with' cannot be separated — the object must always come after 'with', never between any of the three parts.

✗ They want to do the dress code away with.
✓ They want to do away with the dress code.
Confusing with 'phase out'

'Phase out' implies a gradual, step-by-step process, while 'do away with' suggests a definitive and complete abolition. Using 'do away with' when you mean a slow elimination gives the wrong impression.

✗ The company will do away with petrol cars slowly over the next ten years.
✓ The company will phase out petrol cars slowly over the next ten years.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both conversation and formal writing, making it a useful alternative to 'abolish' or 'eliminate'. It is equally common in British and American English.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'do away with' always refer to rules and systems, or can I use it for physical objects too?

It's most natural with abstract things like laws, rules, systems, or practices. You wouldn't typically say 'she did away with her old sofa' — for physical objects, 'get rid of' is a better choice. 'Do away with' works best when something institutional or structural is being permanently removed.

Is 'do away with' too informal for essays or news articles?

Not at all — it's neutral in register and appears regularly in journalism, editorials, and political writing. It's slightly less formal than 'abolish' or 'eliminate', but it's perfectly appropriate in academic essays and news reporting. You might choose 'abolish' in a very formal legal context, but 'do away with' works well almost everywhere else.

Can I use 'do away with' in the passive?

Yes, the passive is very natural and common with this phrase. You'll often see constructions like 'the rule was done away with' in news articles, especially when the focus is on what changed rather than who changed it. The agent (the person or group responsible) is frequently left out.

Does 'do away with' have more than one meaning?

Yes, there is an older, informal meaning of 'do away with someone' meaning to kill them, but this sense is now archaic or used humorously and is rarely encountered in everyday English. Context makes the meaning clear: when the object is a rule, system, or practice, it always means abolish.

Is this phrase used in both British and American English?

Yes, 'do away with' is common in both British and American English with no notable difference in meaning or frequency. You'll encounter it in newspapers, political speeches, and conversations on both sides of the Atlantic.

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