what does ‘get’ mean?

There are quite a few phrasal verbs with get. 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.

phrasal verbs with get

Phrasal verbs with ‘get’ include:

  • get across
    meaning – communicate your point
    example – I tried to get my point across, but no one understood.
  • get along/on with
    meaning – have a good (or bad relationship) with someone
    example – I don’t get along with my siblings.
  • get around
    meaning – be mobile, sleep with lots of people
    example – I couldn’t get around very well after the operation.
  • get at
    meaning – annoy, imply
    example – Stop getting at me, you`re getting on my nerves.
  • get away
    meaning – escape or leave
    example – I’d love to get away for the weekend, I need a break.
  • get back
    meaning – return, receive something back
    example – I hope I get my phone back from the repair shop soon.
  • get back at someone
    meaning – seek revenge
    example – I called my boss an idiot. She got back at me by giving me more work.
  • get back into
    meaning – return to a hobby/interest
    example – I’ve just got back into running; I feel so much fitter.
  • get back together
    meaning – start a relationship with a previous partner
    example – We’ll never ever get back together.
  • get by  
    meaning – manage/survive
    example – We just got by with 2 litres of fuel.
  • get in
    meaning – arrive or enter
    example – What time did you get in last night?
  • get into
    meaning – enter, start doing something enthusiastically
    example – I can’t get into the cupboard; I don’t have the key.
  • get off 
    meaning – leave a plane, train, bus, or job
    example – Let’s get off at the next stop.
  • get on
    meaning – enter a bus, plane, or train
    example – Drink your lemonade, you can’t get on the plane with liquids.
  • get on it 
    meaning – party
    example – It`s a long weekend, let`s get on it.
  • get on with
    meaning – continue doing something
    example – I got on with my revision last night, I think I’m ready for the exam.
  • get out
    meaning – exit a room
    example – We got out of the meeting after an hour and a half.
  • get out of 
    meaning – avoid doing something
    example – I have got out of every work social gathering this year.
  • get over   
    meaning – recover from illness or disappointment
    example – It’s going to take Jim a long time to get over being jilted at the altar.
  • get rid of 
    meaning – remove
    example – I kicked my husband out and got rid of all his belongings.
  • get round to
    meaning – find the time to do something you intended to do
    example – At some point this weekend, I’ll get round to tidying my room.
  • get something across
    meaning – communicate your point
    example – I tried to get my point across but, nobody understood.
  • get something back
    meaning – receive something you previously lent to another
    example – I’ve got back all my DVDs, I’m never lending anything again.
  • get to 
    meaning – arrive
    example – I got to the party at 9, but I left before midnight.
  • get together 
    meaning – an arranged meeting or become a couple
    example – Mary and Daniel have finally got together, they make a lovely couple.
  • get up 
    meaning – get out of bed or rise to your feet
    example – All of the children got up and stood in a circle.
  • get with
    meaning – start a relationship with somebody.
    example – I got with this great girl in Mallorca.

picture examples

phrasal verbs with get

Let’s learn the meaning of the phrasal verbs that contain the verb ‘get’ in more detail and see some examples in use.

phrasal verbs with get - get across
get along/on with meaning
phrasal verbs with get - get around
get at meaning
phrasal verbs with get - get away
get back into meaning
phrasal verbs with get - get back together meaning
get back meaning
phrasal verbs with get - get by
get in meaning
phrasal verbs with get - get into
get off meaning
phrasal verbs with get - get on with
get on meaning
phrasal verbs with get - get out of
get out meaning
phrasal verbs with get - get over
phrasal verbs with get - get rid of
phrasal verbs with get - get round to
phrasal verbs with get - get to
phrasal verbs with get - get together
phrasal verbs with get - get up

You can download a table of phrasal verbs with get below.

Did you know that many idiomatic expressions (idioms) in English also contain a lot of verbs? Just like phrasal verbs, idioms are a major part of the English language (slang in particular). They are used constantly amongst native English speakers and are handy to know and understand.

 

Now you’ve learnt all the phrasal verbs with get, how about learning the idioms with get too?