ɡɛt ˈsʌmθɪŋ aʊt əv jɔːr ˈsɪstəm
Emotions
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- To expel something from your bodily system
What does "get something out of your system" mean?
- To do something you feel compelled to do so you can move on
- To satisfy an urge or get rid of a feeling by acting on it
Examples
- Go ahead and yell if you need to—get it out of your system.
- He traveled the world for a year to get wanderlust out of his system.
- I just need to get this song out of my system by listening to it one more time.
Origin
Originally medical—expelling a toxin or substance from the body. Applied figuratively to emotional or psychological urges.
How to use it
Often used encouragingly, suggesting that satisfying an urge will allow someone to move forward.
Similar expressions
satisfy an urge
work through
get over
Opposites
suppress
bottle up
hold in
Related idioms
- hang in there
To persevere during difficult times
- lose your temper
To become suddenly angry
- get cold feet
To become nervous or afraid before doing something important
- on top of the world
Feeling extremely happy and successful
- rain on someone's parade
To spoil someone's plans or enthusiasm
- blow off steam
To release pent-up energy or emotion through activity
Use it in a practice answer
Try "get something out of your system" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.