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Did you know?
"Let's get to it!" means "Let's get started!"
The Most Common Phrasal Verbs with "Get"
Get up: rise from bed
Example: I usually get up at 7 a.m.
Get along (with someone): have a good relationship
Example: I really get along with my new colleagues.
Get back (to someone/something): return a message or call, return to a previous place or condition
Example: I’ll get back to you later with the details. / I'll get back to my homework after dinner.
Get over: recover from something (for example illness, disappointment)
Example: It took her a few weeks to fully get over this nasty virus.
Quiz
After the vacation, it was hard to ___ my usual work routine.
"Get back to" means returning to a place, activity, or condition. After a holiday, you might find it difficult to get back to your work habits.
Phrasal Verbs with "Get": Problem Solving
Get through: complete or survive something tough
Example: We got through the exam in one piece.
Get through to (someone): Reach or make contact with someone during difficulty
Example: I finally got through to the technical support helpline.
Get out of: escape a bad situation
Example: She managed to get out of her work contract by finding another job.
Get ahead of: surpass or outpace someone
Example: He’s really trying to get ahead of his peers with higher test scores.
Quiz
It's hard to ___ such a small salary.
"Get by on" means to survive. It's difficult to do that when you have a low salary.
Did you know?
Many phrasal verbs can have to different meanings: literal (it means exactly what it says) and idiomatic (it means something different). Some examples:
Literal: "He picked her up from the airport." = He met her at the airport to take her home.
Idiomatic: "She picked up a little Italian during her holiday in Rome." = She learned some Italian while in Italy.
Phrasal Verbs with "Get": Rules & Punishments
Use these phrases to talk about avoiding rules and being punished:
Get off (with): avoid punishment or receive a light one
Example: He got off with just a community service order and no prison time.
Get away with: do something wrong without being caught
Example: She got away with plagiarizing her thesis.
Get called out (on): be challenged or criticized by someone else
Example: He got called out on his lies.
Get busted (for): be caught doing something wrong (informal)
Example: He got busted for illegal downloads.
Get written up: receive formal disciplinary action
Example: She got written up by her boss for missing the deadline.
Get around: avoid a rule or do something that isn't allowed in a sneaky way
We found a way to get around the security system with this new app.
Quiz
He tried to ___ the school’s dress code by wearing a jacket over his hoodie.
"Get around" means to avoid rules by being sneaky. The student wasn't able to get around his school's dress code.
Phrasal Verbs with "Get": Work and Professioanlism
Get ahead: advance professionally
Example: You need strong networking skills to get ahead in this field.
Get on with: continue doing a task
Example: Let’s get on with the project.
Get around to: finally do something
Example: I never got around to writing that report.
Get out of: avoid a responsibility
Example: He’s always trying to get out of doing overtime.
Get down to: start seriously doing something
Example: We need to get down to business on this project.
Get bogged down (in): become too involved or stuck
Example: Don’t get bogged down in the minor details when you write this report.
Quiz
I really need to stop procrastinating and __________ my homework.
"Get on with" means to start or continue your work.
Did you know?
Phrasal verbs can be separable and inseparable.
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