Getaway or Get Away?

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Getaway or Get Away?

What is the difference between "getaway" (one word) and "get away" (two words)?
  • "Getaway" means "a location for respite" or "an escape."
    • It has been a busy week. We are going to a seaside getaway for the weekend.
    • That was a classy getaway from the headlock.
  • "Get away" means "to escape" or "unbelievable!"
    • Do not attempt to get away.
    • Get away! You haven't won the lottery, have you?
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More about "Getaway"

The noun "getaway" has two meanings:

(1) A location visited to escape daily routine.
  • Alison is going to a little getaway in the hills for a week.
  • This is my little getaway. I come here every Friday night.
(2) An escape.
  • The robbers made their getaway in a silver Ford truck.
  • Fingers, you can be the getaway driver.
    • ("Getaway" is an adjective in this example.)

More about "Get Away"

"Get away" has two meanings:

(1) To escape or to keep away.
  • Tonight, the prisoners will attempt to get away.
    • (get away = to escape)
  • Get away from my apples, you pesky kids.
    • (get away = keep away)
In these examples, "get away" is a verb.

(2) Never or unbelievable.
  • Is that true? Get away.
    • (Get away = never or unbelievable)
  • Get away, a 12-pound bass? Are you sure it was Lee who caught it?
    • (Get away = never or unbelievable)
In these examples, "get away" is an interjection.
Interactive Exercise
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See Also

adverse or averse? affect or effect? appraise or apprise? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose? What are adjectives? What are interjections? What are nouns? What are verbs? List of easily confused words