Get | Mean of get in English Dictionary

/ˈgɛt/

• Verb
• to obtain (something): such as
• to receive or be given (something)
1. He got a new bicycle for his birthday.
2. I never did get an answer to my question.
3. I got a letter from my lawyer.
4. She got a phone call from her sister.
5. Did you get my message?
6. Can I get [=catch] a ride to town with you? [=will you give me a ride to town?]
7. You need to get your mother's permission to go.
• to obtain (something) through effort, chance, etc.
1. She hasn't been able to get a job.
2. It's nearly impossible to get [=make] a reservation at that restaurant.
3. If you want to be successful you need to get a good education.
4. It took us a while to get the waiter's attention.
5. She got a look at the thief. [=she managed to look at the thief]

• to obtain the use or services of (something)
1. It took us a while to get a taxi.
2. It's hard to get good help these days.
• to earn or gain (something)
1. How much does he get [=make] a week?
2. I got $50 when I sold my old bicycle. = I got $50 for my old bicycle.
3. He's gotten a bad reputation (for himself). = He's gotten himself a bad reputation.
4. I got an “A” on my history exam!
• to win (something)
1. She got first prize in the essay contest.
• to buy or pay for (something)
1. He got (himself) a new car at a great price.
2. “Did you get that dress at the mall?” “Yes, and I got it for only $20.”
3. Do you get [=subscribe to] the local newspaper?
4. I'll get the next round of drinks.
5. He offered to get the check, but I insisted on getting it myself.
6. He got a beautiful necklace for his wife. = He got his wife a beautiful necklace.
• to go somewhere and come back with (something or someone)
1. I'll get a pencil from the desk.
2. Can I get anything for you? = Can I get you anything?
3. Someone has to (go) get the boss from the airport and bring her back here.
• to send or take (something or someone) to a person or place
1. I have to get an important message to her at once!
2. We have to get him to the hospital immediately.
• to cause (someone or something) to move or go
1. He quickly got himself and his luggage through customs.
2. She got the car out of the garage.
3. I could barely get [=fit] the luggage into the car's trunk.
4. I can't get this ring on/off my finger.
• to move or go
1. He got on the horse and rode away.
2. We got on/off the bus.
3. They quickly got [=passed] through customs.
4. She never got out of the house last weekend.
5. He lost weight to be able to get [=fit] into his jeans again.
6. He got between them to keep them from fighting.
7. Ouch! Get off my foot!
• to arrive at a place
1. When did you get here/there?
2. He got home last night.
• to begin to have (a feeling, an idea, etc.)
1. I got a funny feeling when I saw her again.
2. He somehow got the idea that I was lying to him.
3. I got the impression that he wasn't interested.
4. One thing led to another, and—well, you get the picture/idea. [=you can easily guess the rest]
• to become affected by (a disease)
1. I got a bad cold when I was on vacation.
2. Clean the wound carefully so you don't get an infection.
• to suffer (an injury)
1. He got a broken nose in a fight.
2. Where/how did you get that bruise on your leg?
• to have or experience (something)
1. We've been getting a lot of rain recently.
2. I finally got a good night's sleep last night. [=I finally slept well last night]
3. The inn doesn't get many visitors these days.
4. “Do people often ask if you're Irish?” “Yes, I get that a lot.” [=people ask me that often]
5. You get [=there are] so many crazy drivers these days.
• to cause (a particular reaction)
1. That joke always gets a laugh.
2. Her comments got an angry reaction.
• to make progress in some activity
1. He hasn't gotten far with the essay. [=he hasn't made much progress with the essay]
2. You won't get anywhere with flattery. [=you won't succeed by using flattery]
3. At last we're getting somewhere (with our work)!
• to cause or help (someone) to make progress
1. All that effort didn't really get us very far.
2. Flattery will get you nowhere. = Flattery won't get you anywhere.
• to cause (someone or something) to be in a specified position or condition
1. He got his feet wet when he stepped in a puddle.
2. He got his nose broken in a fight. [=his nose was broken in a fight]
3. I told you not to get yourself dirty.
4. You nearly got us both killed!
5. I need to get [=have] my hair cut.
6. She finally got her office organized.
7. He promised to get the work done quickly. [=to do the work quickly]
8. When you're making a measurement be careful to get it right. [=to do it correctly]
9. Let me get this straight [=let me be sure that I understand this correctly]: are you saying that you won't help us?
• to cause (someone or something) to do something
1. I can't get the children to behave.
2. How can I get you to understand that this isn't a good idea?
3. He got the computer to work again.
4. He got the computer working again.
• to start doing something
1. We got talking about old times.
• to have or be given the chance to do something
1. She never got to go to college.
2. Why do I never get to drive the car?
3. She hopes she'll finally get to spend more time working on her garden this year.
• to deal with (something that needs attention): such as
• to answer (a telephone)
1. Would somebody please get the phone?
• to open (a door)
1. If you'll get the door for me, I'll carry that box inside.
2. There's someone at the door. Would you please get it? [=open the door and deal with the person who knocked]
• to understand (something or someone)
1. I just don't get the point of what you're saying.
2. He didn't get the joke.
3. I don't get what you mean.
4. Oh, now I get it. [=understand]
5. He's a strange guy. I just don't get him.
6. Don't get me wrong. [=don't misunderstand what I am saying]
7. I get your drift. [=I understand what you are saying]
• to hear and understand (something)
1. I didn't quite get [=catch] his name.
• to change in a specified way as time passes
1. Your daughter is getting to be [=is becoming] quite a big girl now!
• to do something specified
1. Once you get to know him, you will like him.
• to have (a meal)
1. We got dinner at an Italian restaurant last night.
• to prepare (a meal)
1. On weekends, my wife sleeps late while I get breakfast.
• to receive (punishment)
1. He got five years in prison for his crime.
2. (informal) If you don't stop misbehaving you're going to get it when your father gets home! [=your father is going to punish you]
• to grip and hold (something or someone)
1. The dog got the thief by the leg.
2. He got [=grabbed] me around/by the neck and wouldn't let go.
• to find and catch (someone)
1. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police always get their man! [=they always capture the man they are trying to capture]
• to hit (someone)
1. The bullet got him in the leg.
• to hurt or cause trouble for (someone)
1. He's convinced that his ex-wife is out to get him.
2. I'll get you if it's the last thing I do!
• to cause the death of (someone)
1. He had heart problems for many years, but it was pneumonia that got him in the end.
• to bother or annoy (someone)
1. It really gets me that such a foolish man has so much influence.
2. What gets me is all these delays!
• to make (someone) sad
1. The end of that movie always gets me.
• to cause (someone) to be fooled or unable to think of an answer
1. Well, you got [=fooled, tricked] me that time. That was very clever.
2. That's a good question. You've got me (there). [=I don't know the answer]
• to make a phone call and hear or speak to (a person or answering machine)
1. Where were you? I've been trying to get [=reach] you (on the phone) all day!
2. When I tried to call him I got his answering machine. [=the phone was answered by his answering machine]
• to receive (a radio or TV station or channel)
1. We don't get this channel at home.
• to produce or provide (a level of performance)
1. Our new car gets [=delivers] excellent gas mileage.
• to notice (someone or something)
1. Did you get the way he looked at you?
2. Just get him in his new pants!
3. She showed up at the party in—get this —a $3,000 designer dress!
• to be clearly expressed to and understood by someone
1. I hope my point has finally gotten across to you. [=I hope you finally understand what I am trying to say]
• to express (something) clearly so that it is understood
1. I don't know if I was able to get my point across to you.
2. a politician who is trying hard to get his message across (to the voters)
• to tell (someone) repeatedly to do something
1. His parents are always getting after him about doing his homework. = His parents are always getting after him to do his homework.
• to become more successful
1. a book about how to get ahead in the business world
• to be or remain friendly
1. We get along well enough, but we're not really close friends.
2. My brother and my uncle don't really get along (with each other).
• to make progress while doing something
1. How are you getting along with your work? [=how's your work coming along?]
2. He never showed up, but we managed to get along [=get by] without him.
• to leave a place
1. I really must be getting along. [=going, leaving]
• to become old
1. Her parents are getting along in years.
• to go, walk, or travel to different places
1. She gets around a lot because of her job.
2. He's having trouble getting around because of his sore knee.
• to become known by many people
1. People will be shocked when the news about her arrest gets around.
2. Word got around that he was resigning.
• to avoid being stopped by (something)
1. I'm sure we can find a way to get around these problems.
2. There's no getting around the fact that the current system isn't working. [=there is no way to deny that the current system isn't working]
• to do or deal with (something that you have not yet done or dealt with)
1. Don't you think it's about time you got around to tidying your room?
2. I've been meaning to call her, but I just haven't gotten around to it. [=I haven't called her]
3. Sooner or later we'll have to get around to the subject of taxation.
• to reach (something or someone)
1. The valve is hard to get at unless you have a special tool.
2. An angry mob tried to get at him but the police protected him.
• to find out (information that is hidden or hard to know)
1. How can we ever get at the truth?
• to say or suggest (something) in an indirect way
1. Just what are you getting at? [=what are you suggesting?]
• to criticize (someone) repeatedly
1. He says his teachers are always getting at [=(US) getting on] him unfairly.
2. He's always being got at by his teachers.
• to go away from a place
1. I'll be busy at work all day and I can't get away until tonight.
2. The company is having problems because they've gotten away from the things they do best. [=they have stopped doing the things they do best]
• to go away from your home for a vacation
1. I'm taking some time off because I really need to get away for a few days.
2. We went on a cruise to get away from it all.
• to avoid being caught
1. The robbers got away (from the police) in a fast car.
2. The robbers got away with a lot of stolen jewelry.
3. You can't get away from the facts. = There's no getting away from the facts. [=you can't avoid or deny the facts; the facts are known and cannot be ignored]
• to not be criticized or punished for (something)
1. She's incredibly rude. I don't know how she gets away with it.
2. There's a chance of rain, but I think I can probably get away with leaving my umbrella at home. [=I probably will not need my umbrella]
3. It would be nice to have more food for the party, but I think we can get away with what we have. [=I think what we have is enough and will not cause problems for us]
• to be given only slight or mild punishment for a crime or for doing something wrong
1. The policeman stopped her for speeding but let her get away with just a warning.
• to return to a place after going away
1. When did you get back from your vacation?
2. We got back to the office in the early afternoon.
• to return to an activity, condition, etc.
1. Things are finally getting back to normal.
2. Let's get back to the topic we were discussing yesterday.
3. It's time to get back to work. [=to start working again]
• to get or obtain (something you have lost) again
1. He got his old job back after a long struggle.
2. Someone stole his wallet but he got it back from the police.
• to do something bad or unpleasant to someone who has treated you badly or unfairly
1. I'll get you back for what you did to me!
2. After he lost his job, he vowed that he would find a way to get back at his old boss.
• to talk to or write to (someone) at a later time in order to give more information, answer a question, etc.
1. He got back to me (by e-mail) in a few days with a new offer.
2. “How much will it cost?” “I'm not sure. I'll have to get back to you on that.”
• to call (someone) back on the telephone
1. “There's someone on the phone for you, sir.” “Tell them I can't take their call now but I'll get back to them as soon as I can.”
• to fail to do something as quickly as required or expected
1. We've been getting further (and further) behind (schedule).
2. We got behind with our car payments.
• to support (someone or something)
1. The proposal may succeed if a few more people get behind it.
• to do enough or to do well enough to avoid failure
1. He's doing very well in his history classes, but he's barely getting by in math.
• to be able to live or to do what is needed by using what you have even though you do not have much
1. We don't have a lot of money, but we get by.
2. How can you get by on such a small salary?
3. We got by with a minimum of clothing when we went camping.
• to cause (someone) to become sad or depressed
1. The weather was really getting her down.
2. Talking about politics always gets me down.
• to swallow (something)
1. You'll feel better once you get this medicine down.
• to write (something) down
1. If you have a good idea, you should get it down (in writing) so that you won't forget it.
• to play music or dance with skill and enthusiasm
1. She likes to get down on the dance floor.
• to start to do (something)
1. It's time to stop delaying and get down to work.
2. Let's get down to business.
• to talk about or describe (something) in a very simple and accurate way
1. When you get right down to it, this movie is just not very good.
• to leave
1. We ought to get going if we don't want to be late.
• to start talking
1. Once he gets going about the war you can't shut him up.
• to cause (someone) to start talking
1. Don't get him going about the war or you'll never shut him up!
• to enter a place
1. The burglar got in through an unlocked window.
• to arrive home
1. Her husband was out late last night. He didn't get in until almost midnight.
• to become involved in an activity
1. The people who have become rich in this business are the ones who got in at the beginning.
• to be chosen or elected for office
1. The mayor got in by a very slim margin.
• to be accepted or to cause (someone) to be accepted as a student, member, etc.
1. It's a very good school. I hope your daughter gets in.
2. I hope you get your daughter in.
• to have (someone) come to your home, business, etc., to do work
1. We had to get a doctor/plumber in to deal with the emergency.
• to do or say (something) by making an effort
1. He managed to get a few good punches in before they stopped the fight.
2. May I get a word in here? [=may I say something here?]
• to send or deliver (something) to the proper person or place
1. Did you get your assignment in on time?
• to do (something) in the amount of time that is available
1. I was able to get in a few hours of reading last night.
2. I hope we can get in a visit to the art museum the next time we're in the city.
• to harvest (a crop) and put it in a safe or dry place
1. It's time to get the crop/harvest in.
2. We'd better get the hay in before it rains.
• to become involved in (something)
1. It sounds like an interesting project and I'd like to get in on it.
• to become friends with (someone)
1. She got in with [=fell in with] a bad crowd and got into trouble.
2. He managed to get in good with the boss. [=he got the boss to like him]
• to enter (a place)
1. The burglar got into the house through an unlocked window.
• to arrive at (a place)
1. The train got into New York late last night.
• to become involved in (an activity)
1. The people who have become rich in this business are the ones who got into it at the beginning.
• to begin to be interested in and to enjoy (something)
1. It's only recently that I've really gotten into music.
2. I tried reading the book, but I just couldn't get into it.
• to be accepted or to cause (someone) to be accepted in (a school, organization, etc.)
1. I hope your daughter gets into the school.
2. I hope you get your daughter into the school.
• to become involved or to cause (someone) to become involved in (something bad, such as trouble or a fight)
1. He got into a lot of trouble when he was a teenager.
2. They got into an argument.
3. His friends got him into trouble.
• to talk about (something)
1. I'll tell you what happened, but I don't want to get into [=go into] all the reasons for why it happened.
• to affect the behavior of (someone)
1. I don't know what has gotten into him lately.
2. She never used to be so rude to people. What got into her? [=why is she behaving this way?]
• to leave at the start of a journey
1. We got off early on our camping trip.
2. He and I got off to a bad start, but now we get along well.
3. The project got off to a slow start.
• to not be punished for a crime
1. He's been arrested several times, but he always gets off.
2. His lawyer got him off.
• to be given or to help (someone) to be given only a slight punishment for a crime
1. She got off lightly.
2. He got off with a light sentence.
3. His lawyer tried to get him off with a light sentence.
4. It was a bad accident. You're lucky that you got off with just a broken leg—you could have been killed!
• to stop being on or against someone or something
1. Get off—you're hurting me!
2. I took the subway and got off at the downtown station.
• to stop talking about (something) or to cause (someone) to stop talking about (something)
1. We somehow got off (the subject of) work and started talking about our personal lives.
2. I tried to change the subject, but I couldn't get her off it.
• to finish working and leave the place where you work
1. I get off early on Fridays.
2. I got off work early last Thursday so I could see the parade.
• to write and send (a letter, an e-mail message, etc.)
1. I'll get the letter off (to them) tomorrow.
• to shoot (something) from a gun
1. The policeman got off [=fired] several shots before the criminal escaped.
2. He managed to get off a few good jokes in his speech.
• to fall asleep or to help (someone, such as a baby) to fall asleep
1. I had just got off [=dropped off] when the doorbell rang. = I had just got off to sleep when the doorbell rang.
2. I just got the baby off to sleep.
• to have an orgasm or to cause (someone) to have an orgasm
• to enjoy or be excited by (something) especially in a sexual way
1. He's one of those guys who seem to get off on making other people feel guilty.
• to have sex with (someone)
1. She found out he'd gotten off with another woman.
• to continue doing (something)
1. I didn't mean to interrupt you. I'll let you get on with your work.
2. You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and just get on with your life. [=return to doing the things you do in your normal life]
3. This introduction is taking forever. I wish they'd just get on with it. [=stop delaying and get to the interesting or important part]
• to achieve greater success
1. an ambitious young woman trying to get on in business
• to start to do or deal with (something)
1. “These files need to be organized.” “I'll get on it right away.”
• to have sex
• to grow old
1. My grandmother is getting on [=aging] a bit, but she's still very active.
• to become late
1. It's getting on, and we really ought to go.
• to move toward becoming (a specified age, time, etc.)
1. He's getting on for 70. [=he's approaching 70; he is nearly 70]
2. It was getting on for noon.
• to speak to or write to (someone) about a particular problem, job, etc.
1. I'll get onto [=get in touch with] the doctor/plumber straightaway and see if he'll come round.
• to leave or escape from a place, a vehicle, etc.
1. He was trapped in the burning building/car, but he was somehow able to get out (of it) alive.
2. Get out! I never want to see you again!
• to cause or help (someone) to leave or escape
1. The firemen managed to get him out (of the burning building) alive.
• to remove (something) from storage so that it can be used
1. It's raining. I'd better get out the umbrella.
• to go to places outside your home for social occasions, events, etc.
1. You spend too much time at home. You need to get out more.
• to become known
1. Their secret got out.
2. Word got out that she was resigning.
• to say (something) by making an effort
1. He managed to get out a few words before he collapsed.
• to avoid doing (something) or to help (someone) to avoid doing (something)
1. I didn't want to go to the lecture, but I couldn't get out of it.
2. He tried to get out of doing his homework.
3. My sister said she could get me out of going to the party if I really didn't want to go
• to stop having (a habit) or to cause (someone) to stop having (a habit)
1. I used to exercise every day, but I got out of the habit.
2. All the extra work I've been doing has gotten me out of the habit of exercising.
• to stop being in or involved in (something) or to cause (someone or something) to stop being in or involved in (something)
1. The company has decided to get (itself) out of the computer business.
2. She got her money out of the stock market.
• to take (something) from (something or someone)
1. The police officer got the gun out of the suspect's hand.
2. The police officer got a confession out of the suspect.
• to gain (something) from (something)
1. What do you hope to get out of this experience?
• to stop being controlled or bothered by (something, such as a problem or feeling)
1. You need to get over [=overcome] your fear of being lied to.
• to stop feeling unhappy about (something)
1. She's disappointed about their decision, but she'll get over it eventually.
• to become healthy again after (an illness)
1. He had a bad cold, and he still hasn't gotten over it completely.
• to stop feeling unhappy after ending a relationship with (someone)
1. He broke up with his girlfriend a couple of months ago, and he still hasn't gotten over her.
• to cause or experience the end of (something)
1. I just want to get this ordeal over! = I just want to get this ordeal over with! = I just want to get this ordeal over and done with! [=I want this ordeal to end]
• to reach a goal
1. We haven't made a profit yet, but we'll get there eventually. [=we'll make a profit eventually]
2. We haven't made a profit yet, but we're getting there.
• to finish a job or activity
1. When you get through (with that job), I've got something else for you to do.
• to do or finish (something, such as an amount of work)
1. We got through [=covered] all of the material that we wanted to cover.
2. There's still a lot of paperwork to be gotten through.
• to complete or to help (someone) to complete (a test, an exam, etc.) successfully
1. She studied hard and got through [=passed] her exams.
2. The extra hours of study are what got her through her exams.
• to pass through or beyond something that blocks you or slows you down
1. Traffic was very heavy, but we managed to get through (it).
2. Rescuers are having trouble getting through to the flood victims.
3. Traffic was very heavy, but we managed to get our truck through (it).
4. Rescuers are having trouble getting supplies through to the flood victims.
• to have the experience of living through (something that is difficult, dangerous, etc.)
1. It was a very difficult time in our marriage, but we got through it.
2. I don't know how those early settlers managed to get through [=survive] the winter.
3. It was pure determination that got them through that crisis.
• to spend or use all of (something)
1. He got through [=went through] all the money he inherited in just a few years.
2. They got through [=went through] three bottles of wine with dinner.
• to express something clearly so that it is understood by (someone)
1. I've talked to him many times, but I just can't seem to get through to him.
2. I hope I've finally gotten my message through to him.
• to make a successful telephone call to someone
1. I tried to call home but I couldn't get through.
2. Where were you? I've been trying to get through to you (on the phone) all day!
• to be accepted or approved by an official group
1. The bill finally got through [=passed] and eventually became a law.
2. The bill finally got through [=passed] Congress and eventually became a law.
• to start (doing something)
1. She sometimes gets to worrying over her health.
2. We got to talking about old times.
• to deal with (something)
1. The letter is on my desk, but I haven't gotten to it yet.
2. I'll get to the accounts as soon as I can.
• to make (someone) feel sad
1. The movie's sad ending really got to me.
• to change or influence the behavior of (someone) wrongly or illegally by making threats, paying money, etc.
1. The witness changed his story. Someone must have gotten to him.
• to go to or reach (somewhere)
1. We got to the station/airport just in time.
• to meet and spend time together
1. I'd like to get together with you soon.
2. He often gets together with his friends after work.
• to begin to have a sexual or romantic relationship
1. He and his wife first got together in college.
• to cause (people) to meet or to have a relationship
1. Their shared interest in photography is what got them together.
• to agree to do or accept something
1. The two sides have been unable to get together on a new contract.
• to collect (things) or gather (people) into one place or group
1. He got together [=assembled] a great art collection.
2. The government got together a group of experts to study the problem.
3. We're still trying to get together [=obtain] the money we need to buy a new car.
• to begin to live in a good and sensible way
1. His life got much better when he stopped drinking and got his act together.
• to begin to function in a skillful or effective way
1. The company finally got its act together and started making a profit this year.
• to start sleeping
1. She finally got to sleep after midnight.
• to start working
1. We need to stop delaying and get to work.
• to rise or to cause (someone) to rise after lying or sleeping in a bed
1. I got up [=got out of bed] early this morning.
2. I woke up early but I didn't get up till later.
3. The alarm clock got me up earlier than usual.
• to stand up
1. He got up to greet her when she entered the room.
• to produce (something, such as courage) in yourself by trying or making an effort
1. He couldn't get up the courage to ask her out on a date.
2. She was so tired she could hardly get up the energy to make dinner.
• to prepare or organize (something that involves a group of people)
1. They're trying to get up a petition to have the movie theater reopened.
• to get an erection