Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromi525]

"I got out of going to school."I am OK with saying this.
Can I say "I got away with going to school."
If so, both are same meaning?

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello Hiromi -

'get out of' doing something = avoid doing, but with no negative result

'get away with' doing something = avoid a negative result

So...NO, they would not have the same meaning.

If you change it to: 'I got away with not going going to school.'

it still would not have the 'same' meaning, but might be closer to what

you are thinking of.

Good effort - these types of 'expressions' can be rather to difficult to

learn how and when to use.

Philo

BTY - 'If so, do they both have the same meaning?'

[hiromi525]

Hello Philo
Thank to you, I think I can understand the subtle difference between the two.

I ofen see the scene in movies that fathers says to their daughter's boyfriend.
"If you mess around with my daughter you will never get away with it."

it implys negative result

[Philo Kevetch]

'Close..but, no cigar'.

'it' = 'mess around'

'never get away with' = negative results

Philo

BTW - 'I often see scenes in movies where (in which) fathers say...'