As I am one of the "word guys" in the office (having "writer" in your job title will do that to you), I often get asked about proper word usage. For example, a couple of guys were quizzing me awhile ago about the difference between "getaway" and "get away".
At the time, it astounded me that this would even count as a "quiz". But there I was, answering their rapid-fire scenarios of "which one is right".
Not a week later, we went to a new wings place near work, and it struck me just how many people probably don't get this. For plastered all over their t-shirts and tabletops, forever ensconced under a hefty coat of bar epoxy, what what you see at right (click image for closeup).
In case you don't understand why "time to getaway" should be "time to get away", I offer the following breakdown (references courtesy of dictionary.com).
Getaway (one word)
–noun
1. a getting away or fleeing; an escape.
2. the start of a race: a fast getaway.
3. a place where one escapes for relaxation, vacation, etc., or a period of time for such recreation: a little seaside getaway; a two-week getaway in the Bahamas.
–adjective
4. used as a means of escape or fleeing: a stolen getaway car.
5. used for occasional relaxation, retreat, or reclusion: a weekend getaway house.Get Away (two words)
–verb
1. Break free, escape, as in "The suspect ran down the street and got away," or "I wanted to come but couldn't get away from the office." [c. 1300] A variant is get away from it all, meaning "to depart and leave one's surroundings or problems or work behind." For example, "Joe is taking a few days offhe needs to get away from it all."
2. Start out or leave quickly, as in "The greyhounds got away from the starting gate," or "I thought I had the answer but it got away from me."
3. Go, move off. For example, "Get away from my desk!" or "Get awayI don't want you near that hot stove."
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