The word ‘get’ can mean many different things. As a verb, the meaning is to buy or receive.
For example:
- I got you an ice cream at the shop. (buy)
- I got top marks in the test. (receive)
Get is an irregular verb. The past tense is got and the past participle is got/gotten.
idiomatic phrasal verbs
Did you know phrasal verbs are sometimes used in idioms? See if you can spot any. If you don’t know any phrasal verbs with ‘get’, click here to learn them.
idioms with get list
- get a kick out of something – to enjoy something/get pleasure out of something
e.g.I really get a kick out of fishing, I’ve been twice this week already. - get a lump in one’s throat – the tight feeling in your throat due to sadness/emotion
e.g. We had lumps in our throats whilst watching that documentary on dairy farming. - get along swimmingly – be friendly with another person, get on well
e.g. Don’t worry about the kids, they’re getting along swimmingly. - get back together – resume a relationship with a previous partner
e.g. We’ll never ever get back together. - get cold feet get – nervous and change one’s mind about doing something
e.g. I didn’t compete in the singing competition, I saw the audience and got cold feet. - get dolled up – dress in posh/elegant/fancy clothes
e.g. We should get dolled up and go to the casino. - get down on one knee – a marriage proposal
e.g. I’m going to take her to the top of the Eifel Tower then get down on one knee. - get down to business – start doing something with seriousness and determination
e.g. Let’s have a quick coffee break, then we’ll get down to business. - get engaged – a promise to get married
e.g. I’ve been with Reece for 12 years, but we’re not engaged. - get fired – be dismissed from your job
e.g. Did you hear about Katie? She got fired for stealing. - get hitched – get married
e.g. I’m never getting hitched, I don’t believe in marriage. - get in someone’s hair – annoy someone
e.g. My little brother is getting in my hair, I’m trying to revise for my exams. - get into the swing of things – become accustomed to/comfortable with something
e.g. I’ve been in my new job for a few weeks now. I’m just starting to get into the swing of things. - get it in the neck – be severely told off/punished
e.g. Stop messing around! If our project isn’t ready tomorrow, we’ll get it in the neck. - get off on the wrong foot – begin a friendship badly
e.g. I always get off on the wrong foot with people. I think I come across a little arrogant. - get off one’s high horse – stop acting like you are better than others
e.g. My sister needs to get off her high horse. She can’t lecture me about skiving school. - get off someone’s back – stop annoying/bothering someone
e.g. Sarah should get off Harry’s back. He’ll finish with her if she doesn’t stop being annoying. - get off to a flying start – make a successful start
e.g. My juice bar didn’t get off to a flying start, but it’s gaining popularity. - get on like a house on fire – quickly become good friends and have a lot in common
e.g. We all got on like a house on fire at the dinner party. - get on one’s nerves – annoy/irritate someone
e.g. My boyfriend got on my nerves, so I locked him in the conservatory. - get one over on someone – proving you are better than someone else by winning
e.g. My housemate keeps stealing my milk. She can’t get one over on me, I`ve spat in it! - get one up on someone gain an advantage over another person
e.g. I need to score today. If I can get one up on Cody, Laura will go out with me. - get one’s goat annoy or anger someone
e.g. It gets Mr Harrison’s goat if you arrive late. - get one’s hands dirty – do hard/manual work or something illegal
e.g. Karl will help you dig the hole, he loves getting his hands dirty. - get one’s knickers in a twist – become angry/upset about something minor
e.g.Don’t get your knickers in a twist. I’m only 5 minutes late. - get one’s money’s worth – get good value for the price you paid
e.g. I recommend booking Lilly’s party at soft play land, you certainly get your money’s worth. - get one’s skates on – hurry up, be quick, stop procrastinating
e.g. Tell your brother to get his skates on. If he’s late again, he’ll be punished. - get one’s teeth into something – get involved in a project/job/task etc. with great determination and effort
e.g. I really got my teeth into renovating the house. I can’t wait to do it again. - get out of hand – a situation gets out of control
e.g. The party got out of hand very quickly. The Police arrived and shut it down. - get out of the wrong side of the bed – said to a person who is angry/irritable/bad-tempered
e.g. Sorry for shouting at you this morning, I must have got out of the wrong side of bed. - get serious with someone – not a casual relationship, an important relationship
e.g. George wants to go on holiday together, I’m not ready to get serious yet. - get someone good and proper – play a trick on or scare someone
e,g, My girlfriend tricked me into believing we were having triplets, she got me good and proper. - get someone’s back up – make someone angry
e.g. Tilly is getting everyone’s backs up. It wouldn’t surprise me if she is removed from the panel. - get something off one’s chest – tell someone your problems, worries, a confession etc.
e.g. Tell me what’s wrong! You’ll feel better when you get it off your chest. - get something off the ground – start operating/functioning
e.g. We need to get this project off the ground ASAP. - get/set the ball rolling – start a process
e.g. I want to sell my house. I’ll call the estate agent and get the ball rolling tomorrow. - get the boot/get given the boot – get fired from your job
e.g. If you don’t stop mucking around and do some work, you’ll get the boot. - get the hump – become angry
e.g. Don’t tease the dog, she gets the hump if you take her food. - get/give the lowdown – hear/tell someone the most important truthful facts
e.g. I heard Pete and Marge are getting divorced, get the lowdown when you see him at the footie. - get the sack – be dismissed from your job
e.g. If you continue to be late, you’ll get the sack. - get the show on the road – begin/start doing something
e.g. I’ll grab my coat and we can get the show on the road. - get the wrong end of the stick – misunderstand something
e.g. Holly has got the wrong end of the stick. It’s not a date, just two friends having coffee. - get to grips with something – comprehend, understand the situation, start to deal with a problem
e.g. I’ve blitzed the bathroom, now I’ll get to grips with the kitchen. - get wind of something – become aware of something (especially a secret)
e.g. The king got wind of the enemy’s plan to invade and started assembling his troops. - if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen – if you can’t cope with the pressure, stop doing it
e.g. My firm is the best in the UK. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. - like getting blood from stone – very difficult to get something from someone
e.g. Good luck trying to get your money back from Michael. It’s like getting blood from a stone.
Let’s see these idioms with pictures and meaning using real-life scenarios.
Psst…
Hey, did you know the verb ‘get’ has many phrasal verbs. Since you like idioms and phrases, you obviously want to improve your fluency and speak like a native.
Am I right?
I thought you might like to learn the phrasal verbs with ‘get’ too. They are very common in informal English and great to know/be able to understand if you happen to be speaking to a native. We use them all the time, like literally ALL the time.
