get rid

throw away or remove something or someone you don't want

B1

What does "get rid of sb/sth" mean?

To get rid of something means to remove it from your life, space, or situation — so it is no longer there to bother you. It is a very common and flexible phrase that works for physical things (old furniture, clutter), health problems (a cold, a headache), bad habits, unpleasant smells, and even people in certain situations. The phrase focuses on the result — the thing is gone — without saying exactly how it was removed. This makes it different from more specific phrases like 'throw away' or 'give away', which tell you the method. It is natural in both everyday conversation and more formal situations, so you can use it in a wide range of contexts.

Examples

How to use it

get rid of + object

The most common pattern — the object (thing or person being removed) always comes after 'of'.

I really need to get rid of all this clutter in the spare room.

want / need to + get rid of + object

Extremely common with 'want' or 'need' to express a desire or necessity to remove something.

We need to get rid of these old boxes before the new sofa arrives.

get rid of + it / them / him / her

Pronouns always follow 'of' — they can never be placed between the parts of the phrase.

Those weeds are taking over the garden — just get rid of them.

modal + get rid of + object

Used with modals like 'should', 'must', or 'can' to give advice or state what is possible.

You should get rid of that old jacket — you haven't worn it in three years.

imperative: get rid of + object

Very natural as a direct instruction or strong suggestion, especially in spoken English.

Get rid of the smell before the guests arrive!

Common Collocations

old clothesclutter/junkbad habitsa cold/headachedebtthe smell

Common Mistakes

Separating the phrase

Unlike some phrasal verbs, 'get rid of' is a fixed three-part unit and can never be separated. The object must always come after 'of'.

✗ I need to get this junk rid of.
✓ I need to get rid of this junk.
Confusing it with 'throw away'

'Get rid of' is method-neutral — it doesn't say how something is removed. 'Throw away' means specifically putting something in the bin, so the two are not always interchangeable.

✗ I got rid of my old books by donating them to the library. (fine) → I threw away my old books by donating them. (wrong — 'throw away' means bin, not donate)
✓ I got rid of my old books by donating them to the library.
Using the passive

The passive form sounds very unnatural with 'get rid of'. Instead, restructure the sentence using a different verb.

✗ The broken equipment was got rid of last week.
✓ They got rid of the broken equipment last week. / The broken equipment was removed last week.

Usage

Neutral and extremely common in both spoken and written English; use 'dispose of', 'eliminate', or 'remove' in more formal writing. When used about people ('They got rid of him'), it sounds blunt and implies dismissal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'get rid of' be used for people, not just things?

Yes, but it can sound quite blunt or harsh when used about people. Saying 'They got rid of him' implies the person was fired or removed without much ceremony. It's grammatically fine, but be aware that it can sound cold depending on the situation.

What kinds of things can I 'get rid of'?

The phrase is very flexible. You can use it for physical objects (old clothes, furniture, junk), health problems (a cold, a headache), abstract things (bad habits, stress, debt), pests, and unpleasant smells. It works with a very wide range of objects.

What is the past tense of 'get rid of'?

The past tense is 'got rid of' — for example, 'I got rid of my old bike'. In American English, you might also hear 'gotten rid of' in the present perfect, while British English typically uses 'got rid of'.

Does 'get rid of' say how something is removed?

No — that is one of the most useful things about this phrase. It simply means the thing is gone, without specifying whether it was thrown away, sold, donated, or removed another way. If you want to say exactly how, you would use a more specific verb like 'throw away' or 'give away'.

Can I use 'get rid of' in formal writing?

It is neutral enough to appear in formal contexts, but in academic or professional writing, alternatives like 'dispose of', 'eliminate', or 'remove' may sound more precise or polished. In everyday formal situations, such as business emails, 'get rid of' is perfectly acceptable.

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