To do something wrong or risky without being caught or punished.
To do something bad or against the rules and not get in trouble for it.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To do something wrong or against the rules and avoid being punished.
"He copied his classmate's essay and got away with it."
Some people think they can get away with murder.
— Common English idiom; widely used in journalism and political commentary
To be able to do or use something unconventional that other people accept or that works well enough.
"You can get away with a less formal outfit at that restaurant."
Can also be used neutrally to mean doing something unconventional that still works or is accepted: 'She can get away with that hairstyle.' The phrase carries an implicit sense of luck or cunning.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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