make away with

To steal something and leave with it.

• Someone made away with my bag.
• The burglars made away with valuable paintings.
• Did they make away with all the cash?

How to use it: make away with something (The thieves made away with our computers.)

Similar words: make off with, steal

Common phrases: make away with something, make away with cash

To give away, sell, or spend something until you no longer have it.

• He made away with his fortune.
• She made away with the estate to pay her debts.
• They had made away with most of their possessions.

How to use it: make away with something (He made away with his inheritance within a year.)

Similar words: dispose of, dissipate

Opposites: retain

Common phrases: make away with property, make away with money

To do something wrong without being punished for it.

• He made away with cheating once.
• She made away with a minor offence because it was her first.
• You cannot always make away with breaking the rules.

How to use it: make away with something/doing something (He made away with breaking a few minor rules.)

Similar words: get away with

Common phrases: make away with cheating, make away with something, make away with misconduct