do away with

== English == === Etymology === Very likely a continuation of Old English onweġ dōn (“to get rid of”, literally “to do away”, from onweġ (“away”) and dōn (“to do”, also “to make, cause, put”)), via a Middle English *awey don, *oway don, *don awey, and other forms. The preposition with was probably also already in use from the outset, given how its original meaning is “against” (still seen in e.g. argue with, withstand and have a fight with). The original meaning of the phrase was therefore on the lines of “to put away against (someone or something)” or “to make/cause (s.o./sth. to go) away”, which are long-obsolete senses of do. === Pronunciation === === Verb === do away with (third-person singular simple present does away with, present participle doing away with, simple past did away with, past participle done away with) (transitive, idiomatic, informal) To abolish; to put an end to; to eliminate. Synonym: expunge 1887, Mabel Collins, The Illuminated Way: A Guide to Newophytes, 1903 ed., Yogi publications, New Jersey, p. 35: For no nearness in space, no closeness of relations, no daily intimacy, can do away with the inexorable laws which give the adept his seclusion. (transitive, idiomatic, informal, euphemistic) To have someone killed. ==== Translations ==== === See also === get rid of fordo