get away with murder
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get away with murder
To avoid consequences for any of one's actions; to be able to do whatever one wants without consequences. Of course he's misbehaving at school—you let him get away with murder at home! No parent wants to be a disciplinarian, but you can't let your kids get away with murder either. Of course you're the favorite—I get in trouble for every little thing, but Mom and Dad let you get away with murder!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
get away with murder
1. Lit. to commit murder and not get punished for it. (See also get away with something.) Don't kill me! You can't get away with murder!
2. Fig. to do something very bad and not get punished for it. That guy always gets away with murder—just because he's cute. You will spoil your son if you let him get away with murder. You should punish him for his back-talk.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
get away with murder
INFORMALCOMMON If someone gets away with murder, they do whatever they like and no one punishes or criticizes them. His charm and the fact that he is so likeable often allows him to get away with murder. His mother is so soft — she lets him get away with murder.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
get away with murder
succeed in doing whatever you choose without being punished or suffering any disadvantage. informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
get away with ˈmurder
(informal, often humorous) do something wrong without being punished, criticized, etc: His latest book is rubbish! He seems to think that because he’s a famous author he can get away with murder! ♢ She lets the students get away with murder.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
get away with murder
Informal To escape punishment for or detection of an egregiously blameworthy act.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.