Getaway or Get Away?

What Is the Difference between "Getaway" and "Get Away"?

"Getaway" and "get away" are easy to confuse because they sound identical (i.e., they are perfect homonyms).

• "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?

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.

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