rid

rid¹ S1 [rıd] adj

1.) get rid of sb/sth

a) to throw away or destroy something you do not want any more

▪ It's time we got rid of all these old toys.

▪ Governments should be encouraged to get rid of all nuclear weapons.

b) to take action so that you no longer have something unpleasant that you do not want

▪ I can't get rid of this cough.

▪ He opened the windows to get rid of the smell.

c) to make someone leave because you do not like them or because they are causing problems

▪ Are you trying to get rid of me?

▪ It can be difficult for schools to get rid of poor teachers.

2.) be rid of sb/sth

to have taken action so that something or someone is no longer there to worry or annoy you

▪ The clerical part of his job was tedious, and he was glad to be rid of it.

▪ He was a bully, and we're well rid of him (=it is good that he has gone) .

3.) want rid of sb/sth

to want to get rid of someone or something that is annoying you

▪ I could tell that he wanted rid of me.

rid ²

rid² v past tense and past participle rid present participle ridding

rid of [rid sb/sth of sth] phr v

[Date: 1100-1200; : Old Norse; Origin: rythja 'to clear land']

to take action so that a person, place etc is no longer affected by something bad or no longer has it

→↑overcome

▪ a promise to rid the country of nuclear weapons

▪ Will science finally rid us of this disease?

rid yourself of sth

▪ He struggled to rid himself of his fears.