1.
to remove an object you don't want
“I got rid of my old clothes.”
“We need to get rid of this junk.”
“Can you get rid of the rubbish?”
Synonyms: to throw away, to dispose of
Phrasal verb
What does get rid of mean?
Meaning: to remove something you don't want
B1
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Quick answer
Get rid of = to remove something you don't want (an object, a habit, a problem). I got rid of my old phone. It is a three-word expression, and it is not separable. It is very useful every day, in speech and in writing.
Meanings of the phrasal verb
2.
to end a habit, a problem or a pain
figurative“How do I get rid of a headache?”
“She got rid of her bad habits.”
Synonyms: to eliminate, to remove
Word order
Inseparable
The object goes after the particle, never between the verb and the particle.
Forms
- Present Simple:
- get rid of
- Past Simple:
- got rid of
- Past participle:
- got rid of (UK) / gotten rid of (US)
- -ing form:
- getting rid of
Common mistakes to avoid
Always of at the end
The expression is fixed: get rid OF. Don't forget of. Get rid of the box ✓ / Get rid the box ❌. The preposition of must come before the object.
Not separable
Get rid of is not separable. The object always comes after of. Get rid of it ✓ / Get it rid of ❌. With a pronoun: get rid of them.
Practice quiz
Question 1 / 3The Big Challenge question bank
Related pages: get rid of
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What's next?
Get rid of: you understand the rule. Now practise it.
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Frequently asked questions
What does get rid of mean?+
Get rid of = to remove something that you don't want any more. It is a very common three-word expression. I got rid of my bike = I sold it or gave it away. You can use it for objects, habits and problems.
Why is there of in get rid of?+
It is a fixed expression: rid (a rare verb) needs the preposition of. You never say get rid without of. The order never changes: get + rid + of + the thing.
What is the difference between get rid of and throw away?+
Throw away = to put something in the bin (a physical action). Get rid of is more general: to throw away, give away, sell, or end a problem. Throw away is more specific.
Is get rid of separable?+
No, it is not separable. Get rid of it ✓ / Get it rid of ❌. The object always comes after of, with no exception.
How do you get rid of a headache in English?+
Say get rid of a headache: How can I get rid of this headache? = how can I make this headache stop? Here, it is about ending a pain or a problem.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/phrasal-verbs/get-rid-of
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.