Phrasal verbs are phrases that indicate actions. They are generally used in spoken English and informal texts. Examples of such verbs include: turn down, come across and run into.
Sometimes, it is difficult to understand the meaning of phrasal verbs. Before looking them up in a dictionary, it would be helpful to use the context to understand them.
Some phrasal verbs have literal meanings while others have a more idiomatic meaning. For instance, the verb “get down” depending on context can mean:
- Literally move downwards: If there is an earthquake get down on your knees and crawl under a desk.
- Make someone depressed: This time of the year, the weather always gets me down.
Here is a list of 20 phrasal verbs using the verb “GET”
- To get at: to try to express.
Example: I can hear what you say but I do not know what you’re trying to get at.
- To get away with: to escape punishment.
Example: I can’t believe the police let him get away with theft.
- To get by: to manage to survive/live
Example: Many people around the world can barely get by with the money they make.
- To get down: 1. to make someone depressed or 2. to descend.
Example: Sad movies always get me down. / If there is a shooting, remember to get down!
- To get off: to leave a vehicle/aircraft.
Example: I will get off at the next bus stop.
- To get on: 1. to enter/sit in a form of transportation, 2. to have a relationship with someone.
Example: 1. I got on the bus right on time. 2. I get on well with my brothers.
- To get on with: to continue.
Example: Now the interruption is over, please get on with the meeting.
- To get out of: to avoid responsibility / doing something you don’t want to do.
Example: It took a lot of convincing but I was able to get out of Friday night’s meeting.
- To get over: 1. To recover from an illness, 2. To accept something that has happened and move on.
Examples: 1. I am so glad I got over the flu. 2. I have gotten over Joe, now I am dating Mark.
- To get through: to finish; to complete (some work/task/book/etc)
Example: I’ve finally gotten through this book, it wasn’t as good as they say.
- To get up to: to do something you shouldn’t do.
Example: I wonder what Michael is getting up to, he is always pranking people.
- To get around: 1.to move from place to place, 2. To find a way to avoid something difficult or unpleasant.
Examples: 1. I will have to buy a car in the US to get around. 2. In my office, they always find a way to get around the ban on sugary treats.
- To get back at someone: to take revenge.
Example: I want to get back at my sister for taking my favorite skirt!
- To get behind someone/something: to support a person or an idea.
Example: My boss has gotten behind our idea 100%!
- To get it over with: to finish doing something you don’t enjoy doing to avoid having to do it a later time.
Example: I hate doing math. I will do it now so I can get it over with.
- To get rid of something: to throw something away.
Example: I have gotten rid of everything that reminded me of Joe.
- To get used to: to become familiar with something.
Example: Our new boss has finally gotten used to the weather in Poland.
- To get through to someone: to make a person understand something.
Example: The gym teacher is teaching a seminar to warn about the effects of drugs. Hopefully, he will get through to the teens.
- To get it together: to control things in your life to achieve your goal.
Example: Ever since Mary got it together, she has been promoted and given a raise!
- To get down to: to start doing something seriously.
Example: Isabel usually plays around and doesn’t study for her English test, but this year it got harder so she now has to get down to studying if she wants to pass.
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