rid
verb /rɪd/
/rɪd/
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old Norse rythja. The original sense ‘to clear’ described clearing land of trees and undergrowth; this gave rise to ‘free from rubbish or encumbrances’, later becoming generalized.
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they rid | /rɪd/ /rɪd/ |
| he / she / it rids | /rɪdz/ /rɪdz/ |
| past simple rid | /rɪd/ /rɪd/ |
| past participle rid | /rɪd/ /rɪd/ |
| -ing form ridding | /ˈrɪdɪŋ/ /ˈrɪdɪŋ/ |
Idioms
be rid of somebody/something
- (formal) to be free of somebody/something that has been annoying you or that you do not want
- She wanted to be rid of her parents and their authority.
- I was glad to be rid of the car when I finally sold it.
- (British English) He was a nuisance and we're all well rid of him (= we'll be much better without him).
get rid of somebody/something
- to make yourself free of somebody/something that is annoying you or that you do not want; to throw something away
- Try and get rid of your visitors before I get there.
- The problem is getting rid of nuclear waste.
- I can't get rid of this headache.
- We got rid of all the old furniture.
want rid of somebody/something
- (British English, informal) to want to be free of somebody/something that has been annoying you or that you do not want
- Are you trying to say you want rid of me?