English

Verb

get away with murder

1. (idiomatic) To do something bad or illegal and not be punished.
   • 1980, Gore Vidal and Robert J. Stanton, Views from a Window: Conversations with Gore Vidal, L. Stuart, ISBN 0818403020, page 245:

     Just yesterday it was fashionable to be black. Remember? Any black writer could get away with murder, just as any Jewish-American writer can get away with murder.

   • 1984, James Purdy, On Glory's Course, Viking Press, ISBN 0670524514, page 147:

     He'd spoil the boy just as we have all spoiled him, and though he's a big strapping fellow and a soldier at that, he'd let Ned get away with murder just as I've done.

   • 2000, Claudia Bishop, Marinade for Murder, Berkley, ISBN 0425176118:

     It's because you let people get away with murder, Quill.

   • 2005, James M. Hill, Sr., I Have Been Blessed!: Hard Work and Happiness, Aforesight Press, ISBN 0977485994, page 205:

     He said I found out about everything he did and said, 'I can't get away with nothing, and Jim can get away with murder.' I don't think that I let any of my kids get away with murder, and I don't think any one of them ever did much serious mischief.

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