- get */*/*/
- UK [ɡet] / US
verb
Word forms "get":
present tense I/you/we/they get he/she/it gets present participle getting past tense got UK [ɡɒt] / US [ɡɑt] past participle got1) [transitive, never passive] to obtain, receive, or be given somethingRoss's father got a new job.
Did you get tickets for the game?
I got a fine for reckless driving.
get something from someone:You get ten points for each correct answer.
get someone something/get something for someone:She got a ring from her grandmother.
get an answer/reply etc:The social worker got the family a new flat and clothes for the children.
get the chance/opportunity:She called out to him but got no reply.
get permission/approval etc:Young players will get the chance to meet one of their heroes.
We got permission from the council to start building.
a) to buy somethingWhere did you get that wonderful carpet?
get someone something/get something for someone:They had to stop and get some petrol.
get something for £5/£100 etc:For his birthday this year, I got my dad a sweater.
You can get a jacket from a charity shop for just a few pounds.
b) to go and bring something back from somewhere elseget someone something/get something for someone:She went and got a photograph out of the desk.
Will you get me a glass of water?
c) to earn or receive an amount of moneyI think nurses should get more.
get £20/£100 etc for something:Helen only gets £3 an hour.
I bet you could get at least £50 for the painting.
d) to obtain informationWhere did you get this story?
I need to get some details from you about the accident.
e) to start to have an idea or feelingSometimes he gets these weird ideas.
get the idea/impression/feeling (that):I got a strange feeling in my stomach as we walked towards the house.
I got the impression they were finding the work difficult.
f) to start to have an illness or medical conditionI hope I don't get the flu this winter.
She eats standing up and then gets indigestion.
g) to obtain a benefit or have a positive feeling when you do somethingHe gets a lot of pleasure from spending time with his grandchildren.
What do you get out of all this exercise?
h) to obtain a particular resultAdd more water to get a thinner batter.
What do you get if you mix red and yellow?
2) [linking verb] to start to be in a particular state or have a particular qualityIt's getting late – I have to go.
get wet/cold/tired/ill etc:If that spot gets any bigger you should go to the doctor.
get angry/upset etc:It was raining and we all got wet.
get difficult/interesting etc:If you got angry with me for this, I wouldn't blame you.
get to sleep:Things are starting to get a bit difficult at home.
get hot/cold/humid etc:Do you ever have problems getting to sleep?
It's been getting more and more humid all afternoon.
a) [linking verb] to become: used with past participles to form passivesThe team is determined not to get beaten again.
I'm sick of getting shouted at for things that aren't my fault.
Somehow the paper got ripped.
You should wash that cut – it might get infected.
b) [transitive] to cause someone or something to be in a particular stateI'll get the children dressed.
Let's get you completely ready to go before we call a cab.
get someone/something dirty/wet etc:It took them three hours to get the fire under control.
He got his suit all dirty.
c) [linking verb] to put on or take off clothingget into/out of/on/off:It's almost three o'clock and you still have to get into your uniform.
She looks forward to getting out of her business suit and into comfortable clothes at the end of the day.
3)a) [transitive, never passive] to do something, or to have it done for youget something done:You need to get your hair cut.
I should be able to get the first chapter finished by tonight.
get something doing something:They tried to get Marly sent to prison.
Hal managed to get my email working again.
She worked all afternoon on the car but never got it running.
b) to make someone do something, or to persuade them to do itget someone to do something:I'll get Andrew to give you a call.
She couldn't get them to understand what she was saying.
If we could only get him to try harder.
4) [intransitive] to move to or from a position or placeget down:get in/into:Abby had climbed a tree and couldn't get down.
Dad stopped the car and told me to get in.
get off:She forgot her keys and got into the house through the window.
get on/onto:The hill was so steep we had to get off and push our bikes.
get out:Watch your step when getting on the bus.
get up:A car stopped and two men got out.
Half the audience got up and walked out.
a) [transitive, never passive] to make someone or something move to or from a position or placeget someone/something down:get someone/something in/into:Firefighters got him down using a ladder.
get someone/something off:Let's get you into the house where it's warm.
get someone/something on/onto:It's impossible to get him off the sofa and make him do anything.
get someone/something out:They managed to get him on the bed.
get someone/something up:Get that dog out of my kitchen.
I don't know how we'll get this box up the stairs.
b) [intransitive] to arrive at a placeget from/to:get home:How long does it take to get from London to Leeds?
get to work/school etc:What time did you get home last night?
get here/there:I usually get to work at about 8.30.
When will we get there?
c) [intransitive] to come to be in a position or placeHow did this button get in my bag?
d) [transitive, never passive] to send something to a person or placeget something to someone/something:They can get a package across the Atlantic within 24 hours.
We'll get the timetable to you as soon as we have it.
e) [transitive, never passive] to travel a particular distanceHow far do you hope to get before lunch?
He got halfway along the road, then remembered he had left his wallet behind.
5) [intransitive] to progress to a particular point when you are doing somethingget to:How far did you get with your homework?
I got to page 100 of this book before I understood what was going on.
a) [intransitive] informal to start doing something, making progress, or going somewhereget going/moving:They need to get going with this building work if they are going to finish before the winter.
get to work:It's time you got cracking on that assignment.
Enough talking, let's get to work.
b) [transitive, never passive] to make or help someone or something start doing something, making progress, or going somewhereget someone/something going/moving etc:A new manager was brought in to get things moving.
not get someone anywhere (= will not help someone to succeed):We'd better get the kids going or they'll be late.
That aggressive attitude won't get you anywhere with her.
6) [transitive, never passive] to fit or put something in a placeget something into/in/onto something:You can get a lot of things into this bag.
She couldn't quite get all the text onto the page.
7) [transitive, never passive] informal to understand someone or somethingget it:Everyone laughed, but Harold didn't seem to get the joke.
I don't get it – what's happening?
get why/what etc:Oh, I get it now.
I don't really get why she couldn't do it herself.
8) [intransitive/transitive, never passive] to have the opportunity or be able to do somethingget to do something:Did you get to visit the Louvre when you were in Paris?
Her brothers went out a lot, but Lisa never got to go.
9) [transitive, never passive] informal to kill someoneIt was cancer that got him in the end.
a) to attack someoneHe's threatened to get me if he ever catches me alone.
b) to catch or punish someoneout to get someone (= determined to harm or punish someone):The police need to get the person who did this.
The way he acts, it's like he's out to get me.
10) [transitive, never passive] spoken to answer the door or telephoneIt's OK, I'll get it.
11) [transitive, never passive] to use a particular vehicle to travel somewhereIt's easiest if you get a taxi from the station.
He usually tries to get the 9.03 train.
12)a) [transitive, never passive] to be able to receive particular broadcasts on your television or radioDo you get cable here?
b) to regularly receive a newspaper or magazineWe get The Observer on Sundays.
13) [transitive, never passive] to reach someone by telephoneIs there a number where I can get you this evening?
Could you get me the New York office right away, please.
14) [transitive, never passive] to prepare a mealget someone breakfast/lunch/dinner:It's time to start getting dinner.
Sit down and I'll get you lunch.
15) [transitive, never passive] spoken to annoy someoneit gets me:what gets me:It really gets me how everyone laughs at all her stupid jokes.
What gets me is the way he's so smug all the time.
•it's getting to the stage/point where...
— used for saying that a situation has reached a very bad stageThings are getting to the point where we can't stand to be in the same room.
you/we get...
— spoken used for saying that something exists or can be seen in a placeYou get a lot of people criticizing teachers who don't know what they're talking about.
We get a huge variety of wildlife in this area.
you've got me (there)
— spoken used for saying that you do not know the answer- get itPhrasal verbs:- get at- get away- get back- get by- get down- get in- get into- get off- get on- get onto- get out- get over- get past- get to- get upSee:
English dictionary. 2014.