get away with murder

[mojotech]

Does anyone know the origin of the term "get away with murder"?

[Searching for language]

Something to do with O.J. and a white Bronco?

[Charlie Bernstein]

Reminds me of the old Hank Thompson song:

"He's got a way with women,
And he just got away with mine."

[crossmr]

I would guess this phrase would go back as far as people were tried for murder. It has a very literal meaning, and probably wouldn't have taken any overly wise or insightful person to use this in another context.

[VSPrasad]

1. (idiomatic) To do something bad or illegal and not be punished. quotations:
   
   • 1984:"He'd spoil the boy just as we have all spoiled him, and though he's a big strapping fellow and a soldier at that, he'd let Ned get away with murder just as I've done." — James Purdy (1984). On Glory's Course, 147, Viking Press. ISBN 0670524514.
   • 2000:"It's because you let people get away with murder, Quill." — Claudia Bishop (2000). Marinade for Murder. Berkley. ISBN 0425176118.
   • 1980:"Just yesterday it was fashionable to be black. Remember? Any black writer could get away with murder, just as any Jewish-American writer can get away with murder." — Gore Vidal and Robert J. Stanton (1980). Views from a Window: Conversations with Gore Vidal, 245, L. Stuart. ISBN 0818403020.
   • 2005:"He said I found out about everything he did and said, 'I can't get away with nothing, and Jim can get away with murder.' I don't think that I let any of my kids get away with murder, and I don't think any one of them ever did much serious mischief." — James M. Hill, Sr. (2005). I Have Been Blessed!: Hard Work and Happiness, 205, Aforesight Press. ISBN 0977485994.
   
   

[Camán]

Is far as I remember it has to do with being murder the ultimate crime, one of the seven deadly sins.
If you get away with murder you can get away with anything.