GET OFF WITH **collocates with "smaller-than-expected penalty" For example, The drunk driver who killed two people GOT 25 years in prison. (25 years is a normal, reasonable penalty for this crime) The drunk driver who killed two people GOT OFF WITH a year in prison and a five year suspended license. (One year is too lenient, not enough for this crime!) When a speaker uses "get off with" they are signalling their opinion that the penalty is too light. It's often used when someone in authority has the power to make a harsh penalty, but shows mercy. For example, I was speeding like crazy, policeman stopped me, I could have lost 3 points on my license and a $250 fine but the policeman LET ME OFF with just the fine. I GOT OFF WITH just the fine. **Collocations: http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/collocations.htm **Someone offered a correction on my example above. My run on sentence was to convey MEANING, which I think I accomplished. Even though I'm an English teacher, I put accurate and clear meaning above unnecessarily complex grammar. A good teacher tries to make complex things SIMPLER, not simple things complex.

Notes: fines are "heavy" or "stiff" meaning large, OR "light" meaning small. ex. Shop owners and staff face stiff fines if they sell tobacco to minors.