Phrasal verbs with “get” are difficult to learn; there are so many of them, and sometimes the meaning isn’t quite clear. Here are a few to get you started. Below is a list of the phrasal verbs, with synonyms and examples. Once you feel ready, you can try the related activities (see below.)
| Phrasal Verb | Synonyms | Example |
| get across | communicate, convey | I really hope I get my message across in the meeting this afternoon. |
| get along (with) | have a good relationship with | My colleagues get along very well; they have lunch together a few times a week. |
| get over | recover from | I still can’t get over how impolite he was the other day! |
| get around | spread / circulate; circumvent | The company hasn’t made the announcement officially yet, but the news is getting around that you’re being promoted. |
| get at | reach; imply | What exactly are you getting at? Please come to the point! |
| get away | escape; take a holiday | We really need to get away for a few days, it’s been ridiculously busy lately. |
| get down | become depressed | Listening to the news really gets me down these days. |
| get on (someone) | remind someone to do something | You’re going to have to get on him about finishing that report; we’re going to need it in a few days. |
| get out of | avoid (doing something) | I’m hoping to get out of dinner with the clients tonight, I’m exhausted! |
| get by | manage | Don’t think about work while you’re on vacation – we’ll get by just fine. |
| get out | leave, escape | Your attitude is unacceptable; get out right now. |
| get rid of | throw away | She’s made so many mistakes… I really wish we could get rid of her! |
| get away with | not get caught doing something wrong | He’s been cheating the company for years, but now we know what he’s been doing. He won’t get away with it! |
| get up | stand; rise from bed | I get up early four times a week so I can spend an hour at the gym before work. |
| get ahead | advance, succeed | If the exposition goes well, it will help me to get ahead at work. |
| get back | retrieve something; return to a place | I lent him a book last summer; I don’t think I’ll ever get it back now that he’s left the company. |
| get in | go into a car for example | Hey – I’ll drop you at the train station. Get in! |
| get to | arrive at | What time do we get to Athens? I’ll make sure there’s a taxi waiting for us at the airport. |
