Dismiss vs Get your case dismissed
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Dismiss
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Get your case dismissed
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Get your case dismissedMost common: Dismiss
| Dismiss | Get your case dismissed | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪsˈmɪs/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪz/","/dɪsˈmɪst/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪsˈmɪs/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪz/","/dɪsˈmɪst/","/dɪsˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɡɛt jɔː keɪs dɪsˈmɪst//🇺🇸 //ɡɛt jʊər keɪs dɪsˈmɪst// |
| Meaning | To let someone or something go or not consider it. | To make sure a legal case is dropped or ended. |
| Example | The teacher decided to dismiss the class early today. | The judge decided to get the case dismissed due to lack of evidence. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | quickly, immediately, out of hand, be unable to, cannot, not be possible to, as, from, fairly, unfairly, wrongfully, from | get a case dismissed, successfully get your case dismissed, try to get your case dismissed |
| Antonyms | embrace, welcome, accept | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'dismiss' without an object (e.g., saying 'I dismiss' instead of 'I dismiss the idea'), Confusing with 'miss' (to fail to notice or understand), Overusing in casual speech where 'ignore' may be more appropriate | Confused with 'case thrown out' - they are similar but different in nuances., Using past tense incorrectly - 'got your case dismissed' should not be used for future actions. |
| Usage notes | Use 'dismiss' when you want to indicate that something is not worth consideration. It's neutral and should be avoided in very formal writing. | Typically used in legal contexts; avoid in casual conversations. Common among lawyers and legal professionals. |
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Frequently asked questions: Dismiss vs Get your case dismissed
What's the difference between Dismiss and Get your case dismissed?
Dismiss: To let someone or something go or not consider it. Get your case dismissed: To make sure a legal case is dropped or ended.
Which is more formal: Dismiss and Get your case dismissed?
Get your case dismissed is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Dismiss and Get your case dismissed?
Dismiss is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Dismiss: The teacher decided to dismiss the class early today. Get your case dismissed: The judge decided to get the case dismissed due to lack of evidence.
Can I use Dismiss and Get your case dismissed interchangeably?
Not always. Dismiss and Get your case dismissed are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.