get rid of

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

rid¹ /rɪd/   v. [~ + object + of + object] , rid or rid•ded, rid•ding. 

1. to free or relieve of something unwanted:
   Rid your mind of doubt and believe in me.

Idioms

2. Idioms, be or get rid of, [~ + object] to be or become free of:
   Finally we are rid of the insect problem.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

rid¹  (rid), v.t., rid or rid•ded, rid•ding. 

1. to clear, disencumber, or free of something objectionable (usually fol. by of ):
   I want to rid the house of mice. In my opinion, you'd be wise to rid yourself of the smoking habit.
2. to relieve or disembarrass (usually fol. by of ):
   to rid the mind of doubt.
3. [Archaic.] to deliver or rescue:
   to rid them out of bondage; to rid him from his enemies.
4. be rid of, to be free of or no longer encumbered by:
   to be rid of obligations.
5. get rid of, to eliminate or discard:
   It's time we got rid of this trash.

• 1150–1200; Middle English ridden (verb, verbal), Old English (ge)ryddan to clear (land); cognate with Old Norse rythja to clear, empty

rid′der, n. 

rid²  (rid), v. [Archaic.]

1. a pt. and pp. of ride. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rid / rɪd/ verb (rids, ridding, rid, ridded)(transitive)

1. (followed by of) to relieve or deliver from something disagreeable or undesirable; make free (of)
2. get rid of ⇒ to relieve or free oneself of (something or someone unpleasant or undesirable)

Etymology: 13th Century (meaning: to clear land): from Old Norse rythja; related to Old High German riutan to clear land