getaway

getaway — noun

1. a speedy departure from the scene of an illegal act, such as a burglary, before

1.名詞B1
釋義

a speedy departure from the scene of an illegal act, such as a burglary, before authorities can intervene.

例句

The thieves made their getaway in a stolen van before the police arrived.

make + possessive + getaway for criminal escape

Aylin heard the alarm and knew she had to plan a quick getaway.

collocation: plan a getaway

同義詞
  • escape

    more general; can refer to any situation of getting free, not only crime

  • flight

    more formal and literary; suggests running from danger or pursuing authority

  • breakout

    specifically from prison or captivity; not used for a post-crime escape

反義詞
  • capture

    the act of being caught after an escape attempt

  • arrest

    the legal act of taking a suspect into custody

文法句型

make + possessive + getaway

plan a getaway

用法筆記

This sense almost always appears with a possessive adjective (their, his, her, our) or a determiner (a, the). The phrase 'make a getaway' is the most common verb + noun combination.

常見錯誤

❌The criminal made getaway in a car.
✅The criminal made his getaway in a car.
💡A possessive adjective (his, their) is nearly always required before 'getaway' in this sense.
❌They escaped from prison in a quick getaway.
✅They made a quick getaway from the bank after the robbery.
💡'Getaway' in this sense is used specifically for crimes (robbery, burglary), not for general escapes like leaving prison.

2. a short holiday, usually taken to relax and escape from everyday life; also the

2.名詞B1
釋義

a short holiday, usually taken to relax and escape from everyday life; also the place where such a holiday is spent.

例句

The Chen family booked a weekend getaway to a small mountain town.

collocation: weekend getaway + to [destination]

Tamás and Eve rented a beach cottage for a quiet getaway from the city.

adjective + getaway from [place]

同義詞
  • holiday

    more general and formal; can refer to any period away from work, not necessarily short or spontaneous

  • vacation

    the American English equivalent of holiday; implies a longer, planned break

  • retreat

    suggests a place of seclusion and rest, often with a spiritual or wellness focus

  • break

    informal and very general; can refer to any short rest from routine

反義詞
  • workweek

    the regular working period from which a getaway provides relief

文法句型

adjective + getaway

getaway to [place]

用法筆記

Commonly modified by adjectives describing duration (weekend, mini, three-day) or atmosphere (romantic, quiet, perfect). Unlike 'vacation', 'getaway' suggests a short, often spontaneous break rather than a long planned trip.

常見錯誤

❌We went on a getaway for two months.
✅We went on a two-month vacation.
💡'Getaway' implies a short break (a few days to a week); for long trips use 'vacation' or 'holiday'.
❌I need a working getaway to finish my project.
✅I need a quiet getaway to relax.
💡'Getaway' suggests rest and leisure; if work is involved, use 'work trip' or 'business trip'.