100+ Essential Uses of "Get" in English

The word "get" is one of the most versatile verbs in the English language. It can be used in hundreds of expressions and idioms common in everyday conversation. In today's English lesson, I'll be teaching you 106 practical uses of "get"—each one explained clearly with an example sentence to help you understand how it's used in context.

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106 Essential Uses of Get

1. Get off someone’s back

Definition: To stop criticizing or bothering someone.

Example: Get off my back—I’m doing my best!

2. Get cracking on

Definition: To start something quickly.

Example: We need to get cracking on the report before lunch.

3. Get in the way

Definition: To obstruct or interfere with something.

Example: His negativity always gets in the way of progress.

4. Get your wires crossed

Definition: To misunderstand someone or something.

Example: I think we got our wires crossed about the meeting time.

5. Get something rolling

Definition: To initiate progress or action.

Example: Let’s get the marketing campaign rolling.

6. Get a break

Definition: To receive an opportunity or some good luck.

Example: After years of trying, she finally got a break.

7. Get the job done

Definition: To complete a task successfully.

Example: He always finds a way to get the job done.

8. Get on one’s high horse

Definition: To act as if you're morally superior.

Example: Don’t get on your high horse—everyone makes mistakes.

9. Get under control

Definition: To manage or restrain a situation.

Example: The fire was quickly gotten under control.

10. Get your own back

Definition: To take revenge.

Example: He got his own back by beating his rival in the finals.

11. Get the show on the road

Definition: To begin an event or activity.

Example: Let’s get the show on the road—we’re already late!

12. Get off the hook

Definition: To escape a difficult situation or avoid punishment.

Example: He got off the hook thanks to his lawyer.

13. Get someone’s back up

Definition: To irritate or annoy someone.

Example: His rude comment really got my back up.

14. Get into the swing of things

Definition: To become comfortable with a routine.

Example: It took me a few days to get into the swing of things.

15. Get it over with

Definition: To finish something unpleasant quickly.

Example: Let’s just get it over with and move on.

16. Get your priorities straight

Definition: To focus on what’s truly important.

Example: You need to get your priorities straight before deciding.

17. Get ahead of yourself

Definition: To act too quickly without planning.

Example: Don’t get ahead of yourself—read the instructions first.

18. Get someone’s goat

Definition: To annoy or provoke someone.

Example: It really gets my goat when people are late.

19. Get the word out

Definition: To inform people about something.

Example: We need to get the word out about the new product.

20. Get your money’s worth

Definition: To receive good value for what you paid.

Example: This meal was expensive, but I got my money’s worth.

21. Get in someone’s good books

Definition: To gain someone’s approval or favor.

Example: He got in the manager’s good books by working overtime.

22. Get the point

Definition: To understand the main idea.

Example: Okay, I get the point—no need to repeat it.

23. Get a clue

Definition: To start understanding what’s happening.

Example: He needs to get a clue about how serious this is.

24. Get someone’s attention

Definition: To make someone notice you.

Example: The ad definitely got my attention.

25. Get your hands dirty

Definition: To do hard or unpleasant work.

Example: She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty on the job.

26. Get a word out

Definition: To spread information or communicate something.

Example: Let’s get the word out about the fundraiser.

27. Get off on the wrong foot

Definition: To start badly in a situation or relationship.

Example: We got off on the wrong foot, but we’re fine now.

28. Get into the habit of

Definition: To begin doing something regularly.

Example: Try to get into the habit of exercising daily.

29. Get the upper hand

Definition: To gain control or advantage.

Example: We got the upper hand in negotiations.

30. Get the hint

Definition: To understand a subtle suggestion.

Example: I told him I was busy, but he didn’t get the hint.

31. Get a move on

Definition: To hurry.

Example: We’re going to be late—get a move on!

32. Get even

Definition: To take revenge.

Example: He plans to get even after being insulted.

33. Get bogged down

Definition: To become stuck or overwhelmed with something.

Example: Don’t get bogged down in the details.

34. Get something straight

Definition: To clarify something or make sure it is understood.

Example: Let’s get something straight: I’m not quitting.

35. Get back into

Definition: To return to a previous activity or habit.

Example: I’m getting back into reading novels again.

36. Get off to a good start

Definition: To begin something well or successfully.

Example: The project got off to a good start.

37. Get on with your life

Definition: To move forward after a setback or difficult time.

Example: It’s time to forget the past and get on with your life.

38. Get something checked out

Definition: To have something examined or looked at.

Example: You should get that noise in your car checked out.

39. Get into the spirit

Definition: To become enthusiastic about something.

Example: He got into the spirit of the festival quickly.

40. Get away from it all

Definition: To go somewhere to relax and escape stress.

Example: We’re going on vacation to get away from it all.

41. Get stuck in

Definition: To begin doing something with energy and enthusiasm.

Example: She really got stuck in to the cleaning.

42. Get your own way

Definition: To do what you want, often despite opposition.

Example: He always finds a way to get his own way.

43. Get swept up in

Definition: To become carried away emotionally.

Example: We got swept up in the excitement of the game.

44. Get to the point

Definition: To speak directly and clearly without rambling.

Example: Stop rambling and get to the point.

45. Get someone to do something

Definition: To persuade or convince someone to act.

Example: I got him to help me with my homework.

46. Get your thinking cap on

Definition: To start thinking seriously or creatively.

Example: We need to get our thinking caps on for this problem.

47. Get off easy

Definition: To receive little or no punishment.

Example: He got off easy with just a warning.

48. Get worked up

Definition: To become overly emotional or upset.

Example: Don’t get so worked up over nothing.

49. Get off someone’s radar

Definition: To be forgotten or overlooked.

Example: The issue has gotten off the public’s radar.

50. Get back in the game

Definition: To re-engage in an activity or situation.

Example: After a short break, she’s ready to get back in the game.

51. Get through to someone

Definition: To make someone understand or believe something.

Example: I finally got through to him about the importance of saving money.

52. Get around to

Definition: To finally do something after delaying it.

Example: I’ll get around to fixing the sink this weekend.

53. Get by

Definition: To manage to survive or cope.

Example: I don’t earn much, but we get by.

54. Get away with

Definition: To avoid punishment for something wrong.

Example: He got away with cheating on the test.

55. Get behind

Definition: To fall behind schedule or fail to keep up.

Example: I got behind on my assignments this week.

56. Get back at

Definition: To retaliate or seek revenge.

Example: She got back at him by ignoring his calls.

57. Get over

Definition: To recover from something, usually emotional.

Example: It took her months to get over the breakup.

58. Get along

Definition: To have a good relationship.

Example: They really get along well with each other.

59. Get together

Definition: To meet and spend time with someone socially.

Example: Let’s get together this weekend for lunch.

60. Get it together

Definition: To become organized and regain control.

Example: You need to get it together before the interview.

61. Get in touch

Definition: To contact someone.

Example: I’ll get in touch with her tomorrow.

62. Get off to a bad start

Definition: To begin something poorly.

Example: Our project got off to a bad start due to miscommunication.

63. Get wind of

Definition: To hear or learn about something indirectly.

Example: I got wind of the company’s plans to downsize.

64. Get cold feet

Definition: To become nervous before a big decision or event.

Example: He got cold feet before the wedding.

65. Get in shape

Definition: To become physically fit.

Example: I’m trying to get in shape before summer.

66. Get the hang of

Definition: To learn how to do something.

Example: I finally got the hang of using this software.

67. Get off the ground

Definition: To begin or launch successfully.

Example: The business finally got off the ground last year.

68. Get carried away

Definition: To become overly excited or involved.

Example: Don’t get carried away with shopping.

69. Get over with

Definition: To complete something unpleasant.

Example: Let’s get this dentist appointment over with.

70. Get up to

Definition: To do something, often mischievous.

Example: What have you been getting up to?

71. Get through

Definition: To survive or complete something difficult.

Example: We’ll get through this together.

72. Get in

Definition: To arrive or be accepted.

Example: She got in to her dream university.

73. Get out

Definition: To leave or escape.

Example: Get out of the building—there’s a fire!

74. Get into

Definition: To become interested or involved in something.

Example: I’m getting into photography lately.

75. Get down to business

Definition: To begin focusing on serious matters.

Example: Let’s stop chatting and get down to business.

76. Get around

Definition: To travel or move from place to place.

Example: It’s easy to get around the city by bike.

77. Get to know

Definition: To become familiar with someone or something.

Example: I want to get to know my new classmates.

78. Get moving

Definition: To begin taking action or going somewhere.

Example: We’d better get moving if we want to catch the train.

79. Get the better of

Definition: To defeat or outsmart someone.

Example: His emotions got the better of him.

80. Get the message

Definition: To understand a hint or signal.

Example: She finally got the message and stopped calling.

81. Get back to

Definition: To return to a previous activity or person.

Example: I’ll get back to work after lunch.

82. Get in on

Definition: To become involved in something.

Example: Everyone’s investing in crypto—maybe I should get in on it.

83. Get out of hand

Definition: To become uncontrollable.

Example: The party got out of hand quickly.

84. Get through the day

Definition: To endure a difficult day.

Example: Coffee helps me get through the day.

85. Get up the nerve

Definition: To find the courage.

Example: He finally got up the nerve to ask her out.

86. Get by on

Definition: To survive with limited resources.

Example: We get by on just one income.

87. Get under someone’s skin

Definition: To irritate or bother someone deeply.

Example: Her constant nagging really gets under my skin.

88. Get back at someone

Definition: (Same as #56) To retaliate.

Example: He got back at his brother with a prank.

89. Get a grip

Definition: To gain control of oneself.

Example: You need to get a grip and calm down.

90. Get the ball rolling

Definition: (Same as #5) To start something.

Example: Let’s get the ball rolling on the new campaign.

91. Get off one’s chest

Definition: To talk about something that’s been bothering you.

Example: I had to get it off my chest and tell her how I felt.

92. Get the lowdown

Definition: To get the full story or important information.

Example: I need to get the lowdown on the new policy.

93. Get in line

Definition: To wait your turn or conform to rules.

Example: You’d better get in line like everyone else.

94. Get through your head

Definition: To understand something clearly.

Example: When will you get it through your head that lying is wrong?

95. Get over yourself

Definition: To stop being arrogant or self-centered.

Example: Get over yourself—nobody’s perfect.

96. Get on someone’s nerves

Definition: To irritate someone.

Example: That noise is really getting on my nerves.

97. Get out of doing something

Definition: To avoid a responsibility.

Example: He always tries to get out of doing the dishes.

98. Get in the zone

Definition: To be highly focused.

Example: She got in the zone during the final match.

99. Get the boot

Definition: To be fired or dismissed.

Example: He got the boot for showing up late every day.

100. Get off your high horse

Definition: (Similar to #8) To stop acting superior.

Example: Get off your high horse and admit you were wrong.

101. Get around a rule

Definition: To bypass a regulation.

Example: They found a way to get around the system.

102. Get back in touch

Definition: To reconnect with someone.

Example: I finally got back in touch with my college roommate.

103. Get into trouble

Definition: To cause or encounter difficulty.

Example: He got into trouble for skipping school.

104. Get things in order

Definition: To organize or prepare.

Example: I need to get things in order before the guests arrive.

105. Get off on something

Definition: To enjoy something immensely.

Example: He gets off on solving tough problems.

106. Get into gear

Definition: To start working effectively.

Example: We need to get into gear if we’re going to finish on time.

And there you have it! These 106 expressions with "get" will help you sound more fluent and natural in everyday English. Bookmark this list, share it with fellow learners, and try using a few new ones each week!

Looking for another English lesson? Check out this lesson on food related phrasal verbs: