Phrasal Verbs with GET

13 Phrasal Verbs with “GET”

(and how to use them)

Native English speakers use a lot of phrasal verbs which can be confusing to understand. Here are 13 phrasal verbs with “get” to slip into conversation.

PREPLY
Originally published on Jan. 26, 2021
Updated on Jul. 3, 2023
Neha D.

What did I get up to this weekend? Well, I met up with a friend who I realise I no longer get along with. She keeps getting at me about my new boyfriend, who, she insists, I need to get rid of because he’s useless. She’s sure I’ll get over him really quickly because I can do better anyway. I just wish she would be more supportive of my decisions!

Struggling to understand this conversation? English speakers frequently use phrasal verbs when conversing. Sometimes, the meaning isn’t very clear. In many cases, adding a different preposition to the verb “get” changes its entire definition. So here is your simple guide to some phrasal verbs using “get”.

Let’s get on with it then, shall we? Keep reading to learn more.

13 Phrasal Verbs with “GET”

1. Get on with it

• I’m running out of time with this project! I just need to get on with it and not worry about doing it perfectly.

This phrasal verb means that less time needs to be spent thinking about doing something and more time actually doing it. You might hear people say this when they need something finished quickly, or they have a tight deadline.

2. Get over

• That was a bad break up. It took me a long time to get over it.

To “get over” something is to recover from a difficult experience. People generally use this to explain the challenge they’ve had to overcome.

3. Get [it] over with

• I hate exams! I just want to get them over with so I can enjoy my break.

This phrasal verb is used when something is such a chore that you can’t wait for it to be over, finished.

4. Get up to

• What did you get up to this weekend? I went to the cinema with my friends.

Colleagues will often use this phrasal verb to make polite conversation at work. Basically, it is an informal way to say “to do”.

5. Get out of

• I’m so glad they hired a babysitter so I got out of looking after my younger sister!

To get out of doing something means to avoid it. It’s used to talk about avoiding something you dislike. I personally love it when I get out of doing the dishes!

6. Get along with

• I’m close to my family – I get along with my sister really well.

This phrasal verb means “to have a good relationship” with someone. This can be used interchangeably with “get on with [someone]”.

7. Get through

• I couldn’t get through the film – it was so boring!

To “get through” here means to finish or complete something. It can be used when talking about a task, a project, or anything that has a beginning and an end.

8. Get through to

• I tried to explain the importance of wearing a mask to prevent the spread of the virus but I just couldn’t get through to him.

This means to make someone understand something. It implies that the person you are speaking to might not be interested in what you have to say.

9. Get off on

• He really gets off on being the boss and taking control.

“Get off” has many meanings in British English, so you must use the correct preposition after “get off” to avoid implying something you don’t mean! To “get off on” means to get excited by something – in a way that can be have a sexual connotation. 😲

10. Get off with

• I heard she got off with him at the party.

This phrasal verb is used informally in British English means to kiss, or have sexual relations with someone. It can be quite offensive, so be careful how you use it! 😱

11. Get around

This one has many meanings:

• Word got around that there were going to be redundancies.

In this context, the phrasal verb means to spread easily and quickly.

• I managed to get around the parking restrictions by parking on the road opposite.

This means to find an alternative or avoid something difficult.

• I get around a lot with my new job.

This means to travel a lot and go to many places.

• I’ll get around to moving house eventually.

This implies that the person speaking has a lot to do and needs to find the time to do something – in this case, move house.

12. Get at
This phrasal verb also has different meanings depending on the context.

• My new boss is really getting at me for showing up late for work.

Here, “to get at” means, “to get angry at.” This person’s new boss is severely criticizing them for being late.

• He went on for hours – I didn’t really know what he was getting at.

This phrasal verb means to suggest or imply.

13. Get rid of

• I really need to get rid of the old sofa – it’s really ugly.

This means to throw away or cast aside.

What are phrasal verbs?
Phrasal verbs are idiomatic phrases. In other words, if you try to translate them literally, they won’t make any sense. If you want to understand when and how to use phrasal verbs, the best way is to memorize them one by one.

How many phrasal verbs are there with “get”?
There are 177 phrasal verbs with “get”! 😮 Don’t worry, not all of them are hard to understand. Here are some of the more confusing phrasal verbs with “get” that are often used in British English. 😉

Conquering English, one phrasal verb at a time
Learning English can be tough because there are so many ways of saying the same thing! But with guides like this one, you’ll be as fluent as a native speaker in no time. 😊

Adapted from: https://preply.com/en/blog/phrasal-verbs-get/. Accessed on October 18, 2023. © 2012-2023 Preply Inc. All rights reserved.