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What does “get rid of” mean in English?

In English, “get rid of” means to remove something from your life — throw it away, sell it, give it away, or just stop having it. You can get rid of old clothes, a bad habit, a stomach ache, or even all your things. It works for big things and small things. “I need to get rid of this old sofa.” You always say what you are getting rid of: you get rid of something.

In this clip, two travelers describe how they left their old life behind: “Ever wonder what would happen if you got rid of all your stuff and traveled around?” Here, “got rid of” means they sold or gave away everything they owned before moving abroad. The past tense is “got rid of” — the word “rid” does not change in any tense. You can also use it for problems: “I can’t get rid of this headache.” Or for things: “She tried to get rid of her old phone.” Note: “get rid of” is informal but completely normal in everyday speech.