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Phrasal verb get in English
18.01.2025
4 minutes to read
The phrasal verb get is one of the most common in the English language. It can mean many different things, depending on what you combine it with. For example, you can say get up - to get up, or get along - to get along with someone. It's important to understand how to correctly use get with different parts of speech because the meaning changes, and that adds even more fun things to learn in English!
Table of contents
The verb get in English is a real all-rounder. It can have a bunch of meanings, depending on the context. Simply put, get can mean “to get”, “to get”, “to become”, “to arrive”, and even “to understand”! Here are some examples to make things clear:
Get/get - This is one of the most common meanings of get. For example:
I got a gift for my birthday.
Can you get me a glass of water?
Become/change - Get is often used to show a change of state:
It's getting cold outside.
She got tired after the run.
Get - Get indicates movement or accomplishment:
We got to the station just in time.
He got home late last night.
Get - Sometimes get means “understand” or “realize”:
I don't get this joke.
She got the answer right.
In addition, different phrasal verbs are formed with get, which also have their own peculiarities. For example, get up - to get up, get along - to get along with someone, get over - to overcome something, and many others.
In general, get is a verb that is worth getting to know better, because it is found in conversational speech very often.
Get/get - This is one of the most common meanings of get. For example:
I got a gift for my birthday.
Can you get me a glass of water?
Become/change - Get is often used to show a change of state:
It's getting cold outside.
She got tired after the run.
Get - Get indicates movement or accomplishment:
We got to the station just in time.
He got home late last night.
Get - Sometimes get means “understand” or “realize”:
I don't get this joke.
She got the answer right.
In addition, different phrasal verbs are formed with get, which also have their own peculiarities. For example, get up - to get up, get along - to get along with someone, get over - to overcome something, and many others.
In general, get is a verb that is worth getting to know better, because it is found in conversational speech very often.
Meaning of the verb get in English
3 forms of the verb get
The verb get is an irregular verb, so its forms don't follow the usual rules. Here's how they change in different tenses:
Examples:
Infinitive:
I want to get a new phone.
Past Simple:
Yesterday, I got a letter from my friend.
Past Participle:
She has gotten better at playing the piano.
or in British English: She has got better at playing the piano.
Memorizing these forms is important because they help you build sentences correctly in different tenses!
Infinitive:
I want to get a new phone.
Past Simple:
Yesterday, I got a letter from my friend.
Past Participle:
She has gotten better at playing the piano.
or in British English: She has got better at playing the piano.
Memorizing these forms is important because they help you build sentences correctly in different tenses!
Idioms with the verb get
The verb get is not only used as a regular verb, but also forms a bunch of idioms that make speech more lively and interesting. Idioms with get help you speak more naturally, so they'll definitely come in handy in conversation!
Meaning: to avoid doing something, not to do something you don't want to do.
Detailed description: This idiom is used when you are trying to avoid doing something you don't like or when you are looking for a way to avoid doing something unpleasant.
Examples:
I tried to get out of doing the homework, but my teacher wouldn't let me.
He got out of cleaning the garage by saying he was sick.
You can't just get out of paying rent every month!
Detailed description: This idiom is used when you are trying to avoid doing something you don't like or when you are looking for a way to avoid doing something unpleasant.
Examples:
I tried to get out of doing the homework, but my teacher wouldn't let me.
He got out of cleaning the garage by saying he was sick.
You can't just get out of paying rent every month!
Get out of
Get over
Meaning: to get over something, to forget or get over a difficult situation.
Detailed description: When a person is coping with a difficult situation or going through something emotionally difficult, we use this idiom. It can be related to an illness, a broken relationship, or even a difficult task.
Examples:
It was hard to get over the flu, but now I feel better.
She's still trying to get over the breakup.
I got over my fear of speaking in public after a few lessons.
Detailed description: When a person is coping with a difficult situation or going through something emotionally difficult, we use this idiom. It can be related to an illness, a broken relationship, or even a difficult task.
Examples:
It was hard to get over the flu, but now I feel better.
She's still trying to get over the breakup.
I got over my fear of speaking in public after a few lessons.
Get rid of
Meaning: to get rid of something that you don't need or that is bothering you.
Detailed description: This expression is used when someone gets rid of unnecessary or useless things or people that get in the way.
Examples:
I need to get rid of all these old books.
We should get rid of the broken chair in the living room.
She got rid of all her bad habits after joining the gym.
Detailed description: This expression is used when someone gets rid of unnecessary or useless things or people that get in the way.
Examples:
I need to get rid of all these old books.
We should get rid of the broken chair in the living room.
She got rid of all her bad habits after joining the gym.
Meaning: to get over, to get through, to cope with something difficult or challenging.
Detailed description: When a person gets through a difficulty, whether it is an exam, a difficult day or a challenging task, we use this phrase.
Examples:
I didn't like the exam, but I got through it.
It was a really tough day, but I got through it somehow.
She got through the whole project by working late every night.
Detailed description: When a person gets through a difficulty, whether it is an exam, a difficult day or a challenging task, we use this phrase.
Examples:
I didn't like the exam, but I got through it.
It was a really tough day, but I got through it somehow.
She got through the whole project by working late every night.
Get through
Get together
Meaning: to get together with friends or someone.
Detailed description: This idiom is used when people get together to socialize, relax or do activities together.
Examples:
Let's get together this weekend and play some games.
We should get together for lunch sometime.
They're planning to get together for a movie night.
Detailed description: This idiom is used when people get together to socialize, relax or do activities together.
Examples:
Let's get together this weekend and play some games.
We should get together for lunch sometime.
They're planning to get together for a movie night.
Get up
Meaning: to get out of bed, to wake up.
Detailed description: This idiom describes the action of getting out of bed, as well as the moment when a person starts his or her day.
Examples:
I get up at 7 a.m. on weekdays.
Don't get up, just relax for a while.
She gets up early to do yoga before school.
Detailed description: This idiom describes the action of getting out of bed, as well as the moment when a person starts his or her day.
Examples:
I get up at 7 a.m. on weekdays.
Don't get up, just relax for a while.
She gets up early to do yoga before school.
Meaning: to get one's thought or idea across to others.
Detailed description: Used when a person is trying to explain or convey something, but sometimes there can be misunderstandings.
Examples:
I don't think I got my point across during the class.
It's hard to get across an idea when no one is listening.
He tried to get across the importance of teamwork, but they didn't understand.
Detailed description: Used when a person is trying to explain or convey something, but sometimes there can be misunderstandings.
Examples:
I don't think I got my point across during the class.
It's hard to get across an idea when no one is listening.
He tried to get across the importance of teamwork, but they didn't understand.
Get across
Get at
Meaning: to hint at something, to try to make a point.
Detailed description: This idiom is used when someone tries to express something indirectly without saying it directly, or when a person tries to ask a question without using explicit words.
Examples:
What are you getting at with these strange comments?
I don't get what you're getting at. Could you explain it better?
Are you getting at the idea that I'm not doing enough work?
Detailed description: This idiom is used when someone tries to express something indirectly without saying it directly, or when a person tries to ask a question without using explicit words.
Examples:
What are you getting at with these strange comments?
I don't get what you're getting at. Could you explain it better?
Are you getting at the idea that I'm not doing enough work?
Get away
Meaning: to run away, to go somewhere.
Detailed description: When people want to escape their daily routine and go somewhere else for a vacation or to get away from something. Can also mean physically “to get away” or “to flee” from something.
Examples:
I need to get away for the weekend and relax.
They got away for a few days to visit the countryside.
We should get away to the beach this summer.
Detailed description: When people want to escape their daily routine and go somewhere else for a vacation or to get away from something. Can also mean physically “to get away” or “to flee” from something.
Examples:
I need to get away for the weekend and relax.
They got away for a few days to visit the countryside.
We should get away to the beach this summer.
Meaning: to go back, back home.
Detailed description: When someone returns home or to the place they left, or when a person returns something they had.
Examples:
I'll get back by 9 p.m.
We're planning to get back from our trip next Tuesday.
She got back home just in time for dinner.
Detailed description: When someone returns home or to the place they left, or when a person returns something they had.
Examples:
I'll get back by 9 p.m.
We're planning to get back from our trip next Tuesday.
She got back home just in time for dinner.
Get back
Get by
Meaning: to survive, to get by, even if things aren't perfect.
Detailed description: This idiom is used when a person finds a way to cope with something difficult or make do with something minimal. It can mean that the bare essentials are sufficient to accomplish a task.
Examples:
Even though I don't have much money, I can get by.
I don't have all the tools I need, but I'll get by.
It's not easy, but we'll get by somehow.
Detailed description: This idiom is used when a person finds a way to cope with something difficult or make do with something minimal. It can mean that the bare essentials are sufficient to accomplish a task.
Examples:
Even though I don't have much money, I can get by.
I don't have all the tools I need, but I'll get by.
It's not easy, but we'll get by somehow.
Get even with
Meaning: to take revenge, to do the same thing someone did to you.
Detailed description: When someone does something bad to you and you want to take revenge or do something back. This expression is often used in the context of revenge.
Examples:
I'll get even with him for stealing my snack!
She got even with him by winning the competition.
He plans to get even with his friend for cancelling their plans last minute.
Detailed description: When someone does something bad to you and you want to take revenge or do something back. This expression is often used in the context of revenge.
Examples:
I'll get even with him for stealing my snack!
She got even with him by winning the competition.
He plans to get even with his friend for cancelling their plans last minute.
Meaning: to get in, to enter.
Detailed description: This phrase is used when one wants to get into a place or space. It can also be used when one gains access to some opportunity or group.
Examples:
I got in the car just before it started raining.
It's hard to get in without an invitation.
I can't believe I finally got in to the concert!
Detailed description: This phrase is used when one wants to get into a place or space. It can also be used when one gains access to some opportunity or group.
Examples:
I got in the car just before it started raining.
It's hard to get in without an invitation.
I can't believe I finally got in to the concert!
Get in
Get into
Meaning: to get into something, to become interested in something.
Detailed description: This idiom is used when someone starts to take up a new hobby, activity or becomes interested in something. It can also be related to developing an interest in a new topic.
Examples:
I've really gotten into playing video games lately.
He got into painting after watching a YouTube tutorial.
I'm trying to get into the habit of exercising every day.
Detailed description: This idiom is used when someone starts to take up a new hobby, activity or becomes interested in something. It can also be related to developing an interest in a new topic.
Examples:
I've really gotten into playing video games lately.
He got into painting after watching a YouTube tutorial.
I'm trying to get into the habit of exercising every day.
Get off
Meaning: to get off, get off (from transportation, from a place).
Detailed description: This idiom is used when you want to get off a vehicle or stop doing something.
Examples:
I get off the bus at the next stop.
We should get off the train at the next station.
She got off the bike and started walking.
Detailed description: This idiom is used when you want to get off a vehicle or stop doing something.
Examples:
I get off the bus at the next stop.
We should get off the train at the next station.
She got off the bike and started walking.
Meaning: to get on the transportation, to continue doing something.
Detailed description: This expression is used when you want to get on a vehicle or continue doing a task.
Examples:
I get on the train at 8 a.m. every day.
We need to get on the bus before it leaves.
He's getting on with his work despite the distractions.
Detailed description: This expression is used when you want to get on a vehicle or continue doing a task.
Examples:
I get on the train at 8 a.m. every day.
We need to get on the bus before it leaves.
He's getting on with his work despite the distractions.
Get on
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