TO GET

TO GET

'To get' can be used in a number of patterns and has a number of meanings.

TO GET + direct object = obtain, receive, buy.

Examples

I got my passport last week.

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TO GET + place expression = reach, arrive at a place.

Examples

How are you getting home tonight?

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TO GET + adjective = become, show a change of state.

Examples

I am getting old.

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TO GET + preposition/adverb is used in many phrasal verbs.

Examples

This rain is really getting me down.

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TO GET has a number of other meanings:

Examples

• Do you get it? (= understand)
• He's getting dinner tonight. (= prepare a meal)
• I'll get the bill. (= pay)
• That really gets me! (= irritate, annoy)

Other expressions with GET:

Examples

• To get rid of something means to throw it away.
  Example: 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.
  Example: 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.
  Example: She's getting her own back for all those rude things you said at the party last night.

TO GET

TO GET + direct object = to obtain, to receive, to buy:

To obtain

Examples

• She got her driving license last week.
• They got permission to live in Switzerland.

To receive

Examples

• I got a letter from my friend in Nigeria.
• He gets $1,000 a year from his father.

To buy

Examples

• She got a new coat from Zappaloni in Rome.
• We got a new television for the sitting room.

TO GET + place expression = reach, arrive at a place:

Examples

• 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 = to become, show a change of state:

Examples

• 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 is used in many phrasal verbs. Here are some of the most common ones:

Examples

Phrasal Verb	Meaning
get at	try to express
get away with	escape punishment for a crime or bad action
get by	manage (financially)
get down	descend; depress
get off	leave a form of transport (train, bus, bicycle, plane)
get on	enter/sit on a form of transport (train, bus, bicycle, plane); have a relationship with someone; manage
get out of	avoid doing something, especially a duty
get over	recover (from an illness, a surprise)
get through	use or finish the supply of something
get up	leave your bed
get up to	do - usually something bad

Examples

• He got on his bicycle and rode down the street.
• He gets up at 6.00 a.m. every morning.
• She got out of the washing-up every day, even when it was her turn.
• We got off the train just before the bomb exploded.
• We've got through all the sugar - can you buy some more?
• The children are very quiet - I wonder what they're getting up to.