The verb “get” is one of the most versatile and commonly used verbs in English. It can be used in various expressions, including phrasal verbs and idioms. Learning these expressions will help you sound more natural and fluent in English, as they are widely used in everyday conversation. In this post, we will explore different types of expressions with get, provide detailed explanations, and give plenty of examples to help you understand how to use them properly.
1. Phrasal Verbs with ‘Get’
1.1. Get across
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Meaning: To communicate or explain something clearly.
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Example: “She tried to get her point across during the meeting.”
1.2. Get ahead
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Meaning: To succeed or progress in something.
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Example: “If you work hard, you will get ahead in your career.”
1.3. Get along
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Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone.
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Example: “They get along very well, even though they are from different cultures.”
1.4. Get around
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Meaning: To move from place to place or to avoid a problem.
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Example: “He knows how to get around the city quickly.”
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Example 2: “She tried to get around the rules, but it didn’t work.”
1.5. Get by
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Meaning: To manage or survive, especially when things are difficult.
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Example: “With all the bills, we are just getting by.”
1.6. Get down to
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Meaning: To start focusing on something important or serious.
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Example: “Let’s get down to business and discuss the main topic.”
1.7. Get in
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Meaning: To enter a place or arrive somewhere.
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Example: “I get in at 6 p.m. every day.”
1.8. Get off
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Meaning: To leave or descend from a vehicle.
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Example: “I get off the bus at the next stop.”
1.9. Get on
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Meaning: To board or enter a vehicle, or to have a good relationship with someone.
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Example: “She got on the train just in time.”
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Example 2: “They get on really well as colleagues.”
1.10. Get out of
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Meaning: To avoid doing something or to leave a place.
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Example: “He tried to get out of the meeting, but his boss insisted.”
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Example 2: “We need to get out of the house before it starts raining.”
1.11. Get over
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Meaning: To recover from something difficult or overcome an obstacle.
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Example: “It took her a long time to get over the breakup.”
1.12. Get through
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Meaning: To complete or finish something, or to pass through a situation.
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Example: “I finally got through all the paperwork.”
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Example 2: “We will get through this difficult time together.”
1.13. Get together
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Meaning: To meet with someone or gather in a group.
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Example: “Let’s get together for dinner this weekend.”
1.14. Get up
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Meaning: To rise from a sitting or lying position.
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Example: “I get up at 7 a.m. every day.”
2. Idioms with ‘Get’
2.1. Get cold feet
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Meaning: To feel nervous or afraid about doing something, especially at the last moment.
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Example: “She got cold feet before her wedding.”
2.2. Get a kick out of
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Meaning: To enjoy something a lot.
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Example: “He gets a kick out of playing video games.”
2.3. Get in someone’s hair
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Meaning: To annoy or bother someone.
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Example: “Stop getting in my hair while I’m working!”
2.4. Get a move on
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Meaning: To hurry up or start moving quickly.
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Example: “We need to get a move on if we want to make it to the concert on time.”
2.5. Get the ball rolling
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Meaning: To start something or get something going.
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Example: “Let’s get the ball rolling on this project.”
2.6. Get the hang of
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Meaning: To learn or become skilled at something.
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Example: “It took me a while to get the hang of cooking.”
2.7. Get wind of
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Meaning: To hear about or discover something, usually something secret.
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Example: “She got wind of the surprise party.”
2.8. Get something off your chest
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Meaning: To say something that has been bothering you.
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Example: “I need to get this off my chest. I’m really upset with the decision.”
2.9. Get on someone’s nerves
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Meaning: To annoy someone.
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Example: “His constant complaining is really getting on my nerves.”
2.10. Get the better of
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Meaning: To defeat or overpower someone, or to let something control you.
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Example: “His anger got the better of him and he shouted.”
As you can see, “get” is an incredibly versatile verb in English. It can be part of phrasal verbs (See the most common phrasal verbs with ‘get’) that change its meaning, as well as idiomatic expressions that add color to conversations. By practicing these expressions and understanding their meanings, you’ll be able to speak more naturally and sound like a proficient speaker.
