Here’s the ultimate list of phrasal verbs with “get.”

“Get at” Meaning and Examples

Get at – Meaning 1

To reach something. To obtain something complicated.

Example

Regardless of how hard I try, I can’t get at the answer to this exercise.

Regardless of how hard I try, I can’t reach the answer to this exercise.

Look, if you stretch farther, you will be able to get at those apples on the tree!

Look, if you stretch farther, you will be able to obtain those apples on the tree!

Get at – Meaning 2

To try to express something, like an idea. 

Example

The teacher was talking non-stop, but I could not understand what he was getting at. 

The teacher was talking non-stop, but I could not understand what he was trying to express.

“Get on” Meaning and Examples

Get on – Meaning 1

To board a transportation means. 

Example

If we don’t get on the plane right now, we are going to miss the flight.

If we don’t board the plane right now, we are going to miss the flight.

Get on – Meaning 2

To be friends. To have a great relationship.

Example 

My roommate and I got on from the moment we moved in together.

My roommate and I had a great relationship from the moment we moved in together.

Get on – Meaning 3

To go ahead or continue.

Example

Jane offered my brother a job at her furniture store, but he decided to go on trading.

Jane offered my brother a job at her furniture store, but he decided to continue trading.

“Get up” Meaning and Examples

 Get up – Meaning 1

To wake up. To get out of bed.

Example

My mother wants me to get up earlier, but I really hate mornings.

My mother wants me to wake up earlier, but I really hate mornings. 

Get up – Meaning 2

To stand up.

Example

Everybody got up and cheered when the president finished his speech. 

Everyone stood up and cheered when the president finished his speech.

“Get down” Meaning and Examples

Get down – Meaning 1

To cause or make someone feel sad.

Example

Don’t play that song, please. It always gets me down.

Don’t play that song, please. It always makes me feel sad.

Get down – Meaning 2

To write something on a piece of paper, notebook, etc.

Example

Can you repeat your email address? I want to get it down on my notepad.

Can you repeat your email address? I want to write it on my notepad. 

Get down – Meaning 3

To duck. To move down quickly to avoid contact with an unexpected object.

Example

Did you see that? If I hadn’t gotten down, they would have hit me with the ball.

Did you see that? If I hadn’t ducked, they would have hit me with the ball. 

“Get across” Meaning and Examples

To clearly state an idea.

Example

Johnny and I managed to get our project across at the meeting. They hired us!

Johnny and I managed to clearly state our project at the meeting. They hired us!

“Get along with” Meaning and Examples

To have a good relationship with someone. Similar to the second meaning of go on here listed. 

Example

My sister and I really get along now. In the past, we used to fight a lot.

My sister and I really have a good relationship now. In the past, we used to fight a lot.

“Get off” Meanings and Examples

Get off – Meaning 1

To stop touching something or someone. Normally used to give an order. It can also be used as “get something off” in imperative.

Example

Lucy, get off me! You are getting me all covered in makeup.

Lucy, stop touching me! You are getting me all covered in makeup.               

Get those dirty shoes off my rug. Now!

Stop touching my rug with those dirty shoes, now!

Get off – Meaning 2

Used as “To get time off,” this meaning refers to having a free period of time, as in vacations.

Example

After the championship, we got a week off to rest.

After the championship, we had a free week to rest.

Get off – Meaning 3

To leave your workplace once the shift has finished.

Example 

What are you doing tonight when you get off work?

What are you doing tonight when you leave work?

Get off – Meaning 4

To send something by mail or post.

Example

Don’t forget to get your application off today. You have until 3 pm3pm.

Don’t forget to send your application today. You have until 3 pm3pm.

“Get around” Meaning and Example

Get around – Meaning 1

To go to different places, to travel to many places.

Example

Hey Joan, let’s get around tonight! We can visit some museums or something.

Hey Joan, let’s go to different places tonight! We can visit some museums or something.

For being just 22 years old, you have gotten around a lot! Singapore, Japan, Ecuador, Iceland…

For being just 22 years old, you have traveled to many places! Singapore, Japan, Ecuador, Iceland…

Get around – Meaning 2

To spread news, to become known (also seen as get round.)

Example

Shane is such a gossip! He could not resist getting the news about my resignation around. 

She is such a gossip! He could not resist spreading the news about my resignation.

The news about their divorce got around quicker than we expected.

The news about their divorce became known quicker than we expected.

“Get in” Meaning and Examples

Get in – Meaning 1

To arrive at work or at home. The arrival of transportation means is also expressed with “get in.” (Also used as “get into”)

Example

The boss is angry because Mary has been getting in 30 minutes late every day.

The boss is angry because Mary has been arriving 30 minutes late every day.

My mother was worried because I had not gotten in at 9 pm9pm.

My mother was worried because I had not arrived home at 9 pm9pm.

The train is on time and will get in at 4 pm4pm.

The train is on time and will arrive at 4 pm4pm.

Get in – Meaning 2

To be admitted in a school, university, team, etc. (also used as “get into”)

Example

I’m so happy! I got in Stanford with a scholarship! I cannot believe it.

I’m so happy! I was admitted to Stanford with a scholarship! I cannot believe it.

After training for months, Josh finally got in the football team.

After training for months, Josh was finally admitted toin the football team. 

Get in – Meaning 3

To deliver an assignment.

Example

If I don’t get this paper in by midnight, I will fail history.

If I don’t get this paper in by midnight, I will fail history. 

“Get away” Meaning and Examples

Get away – Meaning 1

To escape from someone or somewhere. To leave work or an appointment.

Example

The police officer had caught the criminal, but he managed to get away by faking a blackout.

The police officer had caught the criminal, but he managed to escape by faking a blackout. 

My girlfriend works all day, but she normally gets away at lunchtime so that we can eat together.

My girlfriend works all day, but she normally leaves work at lunchtime so that we can eat together. 

※ “Getaway” is a noun, which is an informal word for “vacation.” Notice there’s no space between!

Get away – Meaning 2

To go someplace else to distract yourself and change the routine.

Example

When I have a couple of days off, I like to get away to my apartment on the beach and relax. 

When I have a couple of days off, I like to go to my apartment on the beach and relax. 

Get away – Meaning 3

Used as get away with something, this refers to avoiding any punishment or negative outcome for something.

Example

Since there was not enough evidence, the criminal got away with his felony.

Since there was not enough evidence, the criminal avoided any punishment for his felony. 

“Get into” Meaning and Examples

Get into – Meaning 1

To begin enjoying something.

Example

Let’s get into this fine bottle of chardonnay to celebrate my promotion!

Let’s begin enjoying this fine bottle of chardonnay to celebrate my promotion!

Get into – Meaning 2

To start a fight or discussion. To become involved in a troublesome situation.

Example

I don’t want to get into this right now. We are about to go have dinner.

I don’t want to start a discussion about this right now. We are about to go have dinner. 

Jonathan cannot have a beer without getting himself into stupid fights with strangers. It’s so annoying.

Jonathan cannot have a beer without becoming involved in stupid fights with strangers. It’s so annoying.

“Get to” Meaning and Examples

Get on – Meaning 1

To arrive

Example

By the time I got to the party, the dancing had already started.

By the time I arrived at the party, the dancing had already started.

Get on – Meaning 2

To feel affected, hurt, or annoyed by something.

Example

She tried not to show emotion, but the words of the teacher really got to her.

She tried not to show emotion, but the words of the teacher really hurt her. 

“Get by” Meaning and Example

To have just enough of something to do what is needed, live, etc. To manage the situation with what you have.

Example

My friends don’t understand how I get by with so little money.

My friends don’t understand how I live with so little money.

Her Japanese is not the best, but she gets by and communicates well.

Her Japanese is not the best, but she manages the situation and communicates well. 

“Get over” Meaning and Examples

Get over – Meaning 1

To start feeling well after a difficult situation, to recover, to forget your ex-partner and be happy again.

Example

You need some time to get over the loss of your father. Mourning is a lengthy process.

You need some time to recover from the loss of your father. Mourning is a lengthy process.

My friends keep telling me to get over Andrea, but I miss her so much.

My friends keep telling me to forget Andrea and be happy, but I miss her so much.

Get over – Meaning 2

To finish something, to let something happen, to move to something else.

Example

Once we get over the holidays, we can start planning our next project.

Once we finish the holidays, we can start planning our next project. 

“Get out” Meaning and Examples

Get out – Meaning 1

To leave, normally used as to get out of. Also used to make someone leave.

Example

The room was so hot I had to get out of there.

The room was so hot I had to leave.

Get that man out of my house, now!

Make that man leave my house, now!

Get out – Meaning 2

To go out. To go to places and have fun.

Example

It’s been a while since we got out with Jenny. We should invite her to the movies tonight.

It’s been a while since we went out with Jenny. We should invite her to the movies tonight.

Get out – Meaning 3

To remove something.

Example

Mary said she had to change her dress because she could not get a stain out.

Mary said she had to change her dress because she could not remove a stain. 

Get out – Meaning 4

To become known after being a secret, to manage to say something.

Example

People were outraged when the new government plans for taxes got out.

People were outraged when the new government plans for taxes became known. 

When Cary had to speak up, she could not get her words out.

When Cary had to speak up, she could not manage to say her words. 

Get out – Meaning 5

To make something available for the public.

Example

The movie got out last week and was a great success.

The movie was made available for the public in Summer 2016 and was a great success. 

“Get through” Meaning and Example

Get through – Meaning 1

To cope with a difficult situation, to deal with something, to help someone deal with something.

Example

After getting through the first part of the exam, the rest will be easy.

After dealing with the first part of the exam, the rest will be easy.

She will need all our support to get her through this risky surgery.

She will need all our support to help her deal with this risky surgery.

Get through – Meaning 2

To pass the call, to be connected by telephone with a person or company.

Example

I wanted to make a complaint about the faulty product I got, but I could not get through to the company.

I wanted to make a complaint about the faulty product I got, but I could not be connected with the manager.

“Get back” Meaning and Examples

Get back – Meaning 1

To return, to go back. To continue doing something.

Example

Please get back before it is too late. I don’t want you walking around when it is dark outside.

Please return before it is too late. I don’t want you walking around when it is dark outside.

It is too early, love. Get back to sleep.

It is too early, love. Continue sleeping.

Get back – Meaning 2

To recover something. To have a refund.

Example

Sarah wants to get her job back, but I think there is a new girl in her post already.

Sarah wants to recover her job, but I think there is a new girl in her post already.

This product does not work! I want to get my money back right now.

This product does not work! I want a refund right now!

“Get behind” Meaning and Examples

Get behind – Meaning 1

To fail to do something, to not do enough, to be late or overdue.

Example

Due to the pandemic, I got behind with rent. I need to pay as soon as possible.

Due to the pandemic, I failed to pay rent. I need to pay as soon as possible.

After being ill, I got behind with my school assignments. I need to start working right now.

After being ill, I was late with my school assignments. I need to start working right now.

Get behind – Meaning 2

To support.

Example

Josey proposed a new design project, and half the team got behind it.

Josey proposed a new design project, and half the team supported it. 

“Get” phrasal verbs

There are many “get” phrasal verbs. Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments!