To get away with murder
Meaning
To commit a serious transgression or offense without suffering any punishment or negative repercussions.
Origin
The phrase "to get away with murder" doesn't actually advocate for murderers escaping justice. Instead, it dramatically employs the most heinous crime imaginable—murder—as a hyperbolic benchmark for escaping accountability for any significant wrongdoing. This powerful idiom emerged from the very human frustration of witnessing serious transgressions, be they in politics, business, or personal conduct, go completely unpunished. It encapsulates the deep exasperation when someone flagrantly breaks rules, causes harm, or acts with impunity, yet somehow avoids any form of consequence, penalty, or even public censure. The vivid imagery of murder simply underscores the outrageousness of such an escape, transforming a legal concept into a potent expression of social injustice.
Examples
- The executive continually manipulated the company's finances and seemed to get away with murder for years before the scandal broke.
- If you let your kids break major rules all the time, they'll quickly learn they can get away with murder and never face consequences.