relieve (someone or oneself) of (something)

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relieve (someone or oneself) of (something)

1. To remove or lessen a burden on someone or oneself. Simply talking to someone can go a long way toward relieving yourself of stress or anxiety.
2. To remove someone or oneself from a job or set of responsibilities. The chief of police has been relieved of duty in the wake of the investigation into departmental corruption. I decided to relieve myself of the position to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.
3. To rob someone of something. There are plenty of thieves willing to relieve you of your belongings if you aren't paying attention.
See also: of, relieve
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

relieve someone of something

 
1. Lit. to unburden someone of something. Here, let me relieve you of that heavy box. At last, he could relieve himself of the problem.
2. . Fig. to lessen someone's responsibilities. I will relieve you of some of the responsibility you have carried for so long. Let me relieve you of that job. You have enough to do.
See also: of, relieve

relieve one of one's duties

Euph. to fire someone; to dismiss someone from employment. I am afraid I must relieve you of your duties. After the scandal, she was relieved of her duties at the embassy.
See also: duty, of, one, relieve
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

relieve someone of

1. Take something away from someone, rob someone of something, as in The pickpocket relieved Dean of his wallet.
2. Take away a burden or responsibility, as in The doorman relieved her of her packages, or He was relieved of all his duties. [Early 1800s]
See also: of, relieve, someone
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

relieve of

v.
1. To take or lift a burden from someone: The bellhop relieved us of our heavy luggage. Their rudeness relieved me of the burden of having to invite them.
2. To dismiss someone from a job, office, or position: After the scandal, the army relieved him of his post.
3. To rob or deprive someone of something: Pickpockets relieved the tourist of her money.
See also: of, relieve
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive ?
Salha feels running a business from home is not just a fun way of earning money but a way to relieve oneself of the everyday stress.
Retailers must surely know that after relieving one's purse of several tens of pounds one must then relieve oneself of the need for a wee in order to continue shopping.
"It permits one to find their true self, relieve oneself of the fear of age and come face-to-face with one's inner beauty," he said.
The desire to spare the family and loved ones from such burdens is clearly judged as a more important reason to die than to relieve oneself of the suffering brought on by a debilitated body.