TO GET can be used in a number of patterns and has a number of meanings.
TO GET + direct object = to obtain, to receive, to buy
- I got my passport last week. (to obtain)
- She got her driving license last week. (to obtain)
- They got permission to live in Switzerland. (to obtain)
- I got a letter from my friend in Nigeria. (to receive)
- He gets $1,000 a year from his father. (to receive)
- She got a new coat from Zappaloni in Rome. (to buy)
- We got a new television for the sitting room. (to buy)
TO GET + place expression = reach, arrive at a place
- How are you getting home tonight?
- We got to London around 6 p.m.
- What time will we get there?
- When did you get back from New York?
TO GET + adjective = become, show a change of state
- I am getting old.
- It's getting hotter.
- By the time they reached the house they were getting hungry.
- I'm getting tired of all this nonsense.
- My mother's getting old and needs looking after.
- It gets dark very early in the winter.
- Don't touch the stove until is gets cool.
TO GET + preposition/adverb = phrasal verbs with various meanings
| TO GET + | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| to get at | try to express | I think I see what you're getting at. I agree. |
| to get away with | escape punishment for a crime or bad action | I can't believe you got away with cheating on that test! |
| to get by | manage (financially) | Sam doesn't earn much, but we get by. |
| to get down | depress, descend | This rain is really getting me down. |
| to get off | leave a form of transport (train, bus, bicycle, plane) | We got off the train just before the bomb exploded. |
| to get on |
1. enter/sit on a form of transport (train, bus, bicycle, plane) 2. have a relationship with someone |
1. He got on his bicycle and rode down the street. 2. Amy and I really get on well. |
| to get on with | to proceed | I have so much homework, I'd better get on with it. |
| to get out of | avoid doing something, especially a duty | She got out of the washing-up every day, even when it was her turn. |
| to get over | recover (from an illness, a surprise) | Have you gotten over your cold yet? |
| to get through | use or finish the supply of something | We've got through all the sugar. Can you buy some more? |
| to get up | leave your bed | He gets up at 6.00 a.m. every morning. |
| to get up to | do - usually something bad | The children are very quiet. I wonder what they're getting up to. |
Other expressions with GET
-
Do you get it means do you understand.
Do you get what the teacher was explaining in class? -
He's getting dinner tonight means he's preparing the meal.
You can relax. It's my turn to get dinner tonight. -
I'll get the bill means I'll pay.
Put your wallet away! I'll get the bill. -
That really gets me! means that irritates me.
It really gets me when my sister shows up late. -
To get rid of something means to throw it away.
I'm going to get rid of all these old newspapers. -
To get out of bed on the wrong side means to be in a bad mood.
He got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning and he's been horrible all day. -
To get your own back means to have your revenge or punish someone.
She's getting her own back for all those rude things you said at the party last night.