Get used. Verb to get

English is truly the language of parasites. The verb get is considered one of the most common verbs in the English language. But not only is it used as a separate verb in various meanings, it is also combined with many prepositions to form phrasal verbs, for example “get up”. So it turns out that there is one verb, but many meanings. Actually, we’ll talk about this lazy verb today. Let's get started!

Tenses of the verb get

Simple Tenses
Present: I, YOU, WE, THEY + GET // IT, HE, SHE + GETS
Past: I, YOU, IT, HE, SHE, WE, THEY + GOT
Future: I, YOU, IT, HE, SHE, WE, THEY + WILL + GET

Continuous Tenses
Present: I AM // IT, HE, SHE IS // YOU, WE, THEY ARE + GETTING
Past: I, IT, HE, SHE WAS // YOU, WE, THEY WERE + GETTING
Future: I, YOU, IT, HE, SHE, WE, THEY + WILL BE + GETTING

Perfect Tenses
Present: I, YOU, WE, THEY HAVE // IT, HE, SHE HAS + GOT (GOTTEN)
Past: I, YOU, IT, HE, SHE, WE, THEY HAD + GOT (GOTTEN)
Future: I, YOU, IT, HE, SHE, WE, THEY + WILL + HAVE GOT (GOTTEN)

Perfect Continuous Tenses
Present: I, YOU, WE, THEY HAVE // IT, HE, SHE HAS + BEEN GETTING
Past: I, YOU, IT, HE, SHE, WE, THEY HAD + BEEN GETTING
Future: I, YOU, IT, HE, SHE, WE, THEY + WILL + HAVE BEEN GETTING

Verb have got & has got

« Get- get, receive" is also used in the meaning " have - have and possess» in the temporary form Present Perfect. It indicates that someone has some object, a friend or relative, etc. Below are the forms of the verb “have got”:

I have got a new smartphone.- I have a new smartphone.
Jennifer has got a charming smile.- Jennifer has a charming smile.
Have your parents got an apartment in LA?- Do your parents have an apartment in LA?

Although "have got" is also used in American English, it is most often used in British English. It is important to keep in mind that the irregular verb "get" has 3 forms. For a Canadian and an American: “get - got - gotten"; for the British and everyone else: "get - got - got" However, despite this, in America “got” is used specifically in “have got”, in other cases the past participle “gotten” is used.

Phrasal verb with get

To get +

• Down- 1) go down, go down, bend down; 2) to depress, to worsen.

Jessica has been suffering from depression for a week already, stop getting her down even more. - Jessica has been suffering from depression for a week now, stop making her even more depressed.

• Over- 1) overcome, heal, recover; 2) redirect, cross; 3) outsmart.

That"s not a piece of cake to get over it, Tom! - It's not so easy to recover from something like this, Tom!

• At- 1) reach, get there; 2) call; 3) offer, try to say.

We can't understand what they are getting at. - We don't understand what they are trying to say.

• On- 1) live; 2) take (transport); 3) continue, remind someone to do something.

My elder sister gets on the train at 10 a.m. every Monday - My older sister takes the train every Monday at 10 am.

• Across- 1) get over; 2) communicate; 3) explain, clarify

Alice is fluent in Albanian, however she doesn't get across. - Alice speaks Albanian fluently, however, she does not express herself clearly.

• Down to- 1) achieve; 2) seriously sit down to some work; 3) start doing what you avoided or could not due to circumstances.

All colleagues have to get down to the important project. - All colleagues are forced to sit down to an important project.

• Out of- 1) avoid; 2) get out, leave, get out of (transport); 3) find out, find out, become known (secret/mystery).

Get out of there right now, Chris! - Get out of there now, Chris!

• Ahead- to succeed, to advance.

Do you know any hacks on how to get ahead in graphic design? - Do you know any useful tips to succeed in graphic design?

• Away- 1) to get out, leave someone/something; 2) hide from the one who is pursuing you; 3) relax.

Hey, get away from me! You are freaking me out. - Hey, get away from me! You're scaring me.

• On with/along- to get along, get along, have friendly/warm relations with someone.

Unfortunately, we cannot get along with our neighbors. - Unfortunately, we cannot get along with our neighbors.

• Around- 1) become famous, spread; 2) find a way to avoid a difficult or unpleasant situation so as not to have to deal with it.

My wife was born in a tiny town, where gossips got around really fast. - My wife was born in a tiny town where rumors spread very quickly.

• Funky- have fun, indulge in fun.

Somebody turn that boombox on, cuz it's time to get funky! - Somebody turn on that boombox, because it's time to have some fun!

• Up- get up, rise; dress up, comb, make up, make beautiful.

Shane is planning to get up early and bump some walkers. -Shane plans to get up early and shoot some walkers.

Expressions with get + adjective/participle

Translation of the verb "GET" in English idioms

To get +

• Away with murder- get away with it and remain unpunished.

I'm able to break your heart and get away with murder. - I can break your heart and get away with it.

• One's drift- feel/understand what the interlocutor is driving/leading towards; take the hint.

We can't get your drift.- We don't understand what you're getting at.

• A load of one's feet- sit down and relax.

Don't worry, just get a load off your feet. - Don't worry, just sit down and relax.

• Real- come down from heaven to earth, look at things soberly.

It's time to get real, my artless friend. - Time to come down to earth, my simple-minded friend.

• The nod- to be chosen, to be among the chosen ones, to get the green light.

William got the nod for the position. - William was appointed to the position.

• On someone's case- to be angry, to be dissatisfied.

Parents aren't able to get on their children's case. - Parents are not able to be angry with their children.

• A toehold- to catch on, gain a foothold, consolidate your position in the organization.

As soon as Nicky gets a toehold in the London firm, he will feel much better. - As soon as Nicky gets a foothold in the London firm, she will feel much better.

• The lead out- live up, move, get involved in work; come into effect

Peter, it's better to get the lead out! - Peter, you better move!

• Someone's goat- pester, deliberately irritate.

Adam is always getting my goat! - Adam constantly pisses me off!

• One"s nose out of joint- to be offended.

Now don't get your nose out of joint, honey . He didn't mean it. - Dear, don't be offended. He didn't mean it.

• One's act together- concentrate, get ready, prepare well, collect your thoughts, get your affairs in order.

If I were Helen I would get my act together and go to Hong Kong. - If I were Helen, I would pull myself together and go to Hong Kong.

• In on the act- contribute, be involved, join.

Are you going to get in on the act and launch a new project? - Are you planning to join and launch the project?

• The message/picture- understand what was meant; understand for yourself the meaning of what was said; understand the meaning of what they were trying to convey; figure out what's what.

I don"t have a great sense of humor, so I didn"t get the picture.- I don’t have a great sense of humor, so I didn’t understand what was happening.

• Face- gain respect.

It takes a long time to get face. - It takes a long time to gain respect.

• The goods on someone- disclose incriminating information.

John got the goods on her wife and they decided to get divorced. - John caught his wife cheating, so they decided to get a divorce.

• It- understand, discern.

Nah, I don't get it, dude. - No, I’m just not catching up, dude.

Translation of the verb “GET” in phrases

The verb get is one of the most commonly used words in the English language. When we turn it into a phrasal verb, that is, we add small words - prepositions, then its use becomes even wider.

Therefore it is necessary to know it.

In this article I have collected 17 of the most used expressions with the verb get.

17 meanings of the phrasal verb get in English

Let's look at what combinations the verb get forms.

1. Phrasal verb get away

Translation: 1. To escape, to avoid, to run away, to escape 2. To go on vacation

Meaning:

1. To leave or run away from somewhere or someone. Especially when it is difficult to do so.

2. Travel or go on vacation somewhere

We tried to getaway from the crowds.
We tried to avoid the crowd.

I just need to get away for a few days.
I just need to get out and relax for a few days.

2. Phrasal verb get along

Translation: To get along, to be on good terms

Meaning: Like each other and be friends with each other

She gets along with children.
She gets along with children.

I get along with my boss.
I'm on good terms with my boss.

3. Phrasal verb get across

Translation: Convey to the listener, clearly state

Meaning: Successfully convey information to others

He got his idea across.
He got his idea across.

She could get her point across to the audience.
She was able to convey her point of view to the audience.

4. Phrasal verb get ahead

Translation: Succeed, move forward

Meaning: Be successful in the work you do

They want to get ahead in life.
They want to succeed in life.

He wants to get ahead in his work.
He wants to succeed at work.

5. Phrasal verb get back

Translation: Come back

Meaning: Return to somewhere after you've been somewhere else

We must get back.
We must go back.

I want to get back home.
I want to go home.

6. Phrasal verb get back to

Translation: Call someone back, contact them later

Meaning: Call someone to give information they asked for or because you couldn't talk the last time they called

I will get back to you.
I'll call you back.

She will get back to you later.
She will contact you later.

7. Phrasal verb get behind

Translation: To fall behind, to be late

Meaning: Not doing as much work or not paying as much money as you owed by a certain date

He got behind his study.
He fell behind in his studies.

I don't want to get behind with my work.
I don't want to overstay my job.

8. Phrasal verb get by

Translation: Survive, get by

Meaning: Be able to live or cope with a difficult situation using what you have

I can get by without your help.
I can do without your help.

I don't know how he gets by on so little money.
I don't know how he gets by with such little money.

9. Phrasal verb get down

Translation: Grieve

Meaning: Making someone feel unhappy

He is really getting me down.
He really upset me.

Don't let it get you down.
You shouldn't get upset about this.

10. Phrasal verb get in

Translation: to arrive, to arrive

Meaning: Reach a certain place

What time did you get in?
When will you come?

Our train is getting in later.
Our train arrives later.

11. Phrasal verb get on

Translation: Get along, get along (with people)

Meaning: Be on good terms with someone

I get on with my sister.
My sister and I get along well.

She gets on with her mother-in-law.
They get along with their mother-in-law.

12. Phrasal verb get off

Translation: 1. Get out of the vehicle 2. Finish work

Meaning:

1. Leave the bus, train, plane or boat

2. Leave the place where you work

Let's get off the bus.
Let's get off the bus.

When do you usually get off work?
What time do you usually leave work?

13. Phrasal verb get out

Translation: Get out (rough form)

Meaning: Leave some place

Get out of my room.
Get out of my room.

Get out of our house.
Get out of our house.

14. Phrasal verb get over

Translation: recover, survive

Meaning: Feel better after being sick or sad

We got over many difficulties.
We have experienced many difficulties.

She will get over the shock soon.
She will soon recover from the shock.

15. Phrasal verb get round to

Translation: Get to something, find time for something

Meaning: Take your time to finally do something

I will get round to call you.
I'll find time to call you.

She got round to sport.
She found time for sports.

16. Phrasal verb get together

Translation: Come together

Meaning: Informal meeting or party

Let's get together.
Let's get together.

We get together once a year.
We get together once a year.

17. Phrasal verb get up

Translation: Get up

Meaning: Get to your feet, take a standing position

You have to get up early.
You must get up early.

I usually getup at 8.
I usually get up at eight.

So, we have looked at the use of the phrasal verb get. Now let's practice using it.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

1. He gets along with his parents.
2. He wants to return to Russia.
3. She brought her idea to her boss.
4. The train arrives at 8 pm.
5. We get together every weekend.

A phrasal verb in English is a combination of a verb, preposition and/or adverb.

There are three options for such combinations:

• verb + ;
• verb + ;
• + adverb + preposition.

This combination has a single meaning and serves as one member of the sentence. Such combinations are very common in English and are an integral part of the colloquial style of speech. In most cases, you can choose a more “official” synonym for them.

The basis of such combinations is a limited number of verbs (, go, bring, look, pull, put, etc.). They all have their own, basic meaning, indicated in the dictionary and often known even to beginners. The difficulty is that when they become part of a phrasal verb, they can completely change the usual meaning.

One of the verbs that form such combinations is the verb get. Acting as an independent unit, it has many meanings, and when becoming part of a phrasal verb, it forms a large number of combinations, significantly expanding the range of possible meanings.

Basic meanings of the verb get

First, let's look at the basic dictionary meanings of the verb get. Do not forget that he belongs to the group of incorrect ones.

Get, past vr. got, prib. past vr.got(U.S. gotten)

Taking a careful look at the given interpretations of this verb, you can divide them into three main groups for better memorization:

• get/take possession of(without effort or with some effort);
• change state(about the environment, objects, people);
• change position in space(your own or anything else).

The list of phrasal verbs formed from get numbers several dozen. Remembering them all, of course, is difficult. The same combination can have several meanings.

Below are the main ones that occur most often:

Phrasal verb get - reinforcement exercises

Place the correct phrasal verb in the sentences. In some cases, several options are possible:

This number of meanings may seem incredibly difficult to remember. But in reality it is not that difficult at all.

The following tips will help speed up the process:

• It's good to know the meaning of English prepositions(down, under, up, around, etc.) In this case, it is often possible to simply guess the meaning of the phrasal verb from the context.
• Do exercises in which you need to choose the appropriate phrasal verb. This will help contextualize them and make them easier to remember.
• Read and listen to materials in English as much as possible, especially close to conversational (radio, etc.).

Key to the task

1.out; 2.by; 3. over, back; 4.on/along; 5.up; 6. though; 7. back; 8. across; 9.down 10. ahead; 11. around; 12.at; 13. around/out of; 14.out; 15.through; 16. over with; 17.back; 18. away; 19. around; 20.off; 21. away; 22.through; 23. down.

Which is to be considered is get . This word has no less meaning than the previous verbs. I would say even much more. Studying this phrasal verb " get» , as incorrect, we remember only its first meaning - to receive, to gain. But this is only a piece of the iceberg, which you can try to consider in its entirety if you open the dictionary entry for this word or delve into the dictionary of phrasal verbs, which is what we will do now.

Meanings of the phrasal verb get

How many meanings of a phrasal verb are there? get Can we count?

1. Get about/around- drive around, move around; spread. A verb with the first for , and with the second - for . There is also a combination get around to for both varieties of English. The meaning of this phrasal verb get- get ready (to do something), get there gradually (for example, to unfinished work), reach (about hands).
   

   The news got about that he was ready to marry her. “The news spread that he was ready to marry her.

   She gets about with a stick. – She moves with a stick.

   I get about quite a lot, working for this international company. – Working for this international company, I travel a lot.

   I finally got around to meeting her yesterday. – I finally met her yesterday.

   I'll get around to it. “I’ll get around to it somehow.”

2. Get across– clearly state (thought), convincingly explain, convey; succeed.
   

   The speaker got his point across. – The speaker clearly stated his point of view.

   Sometimes it’s quite difficult to get the jokes across the footlights. – Sometimes it’s very difficult to convey jokes to the audience.

3. Get ahead- to prosper, prosper, achieve success.
   

   In order to get ahead, you should work a lot. – To achieve success, you need to work hard.

4. Get along- get along, live, succeed, get by, cope. This variant of the phrasal verb get most common in American English. In the British version it is more common get on with a given value.
   

   I can't get along with my mother-in-law. – I can’t get along (get along) with my mother-in-law.

   I wonder how she’s getting along with her duties. – I wonder how she copes with her responsibilities?

   How will she get along without him? - How will she live without him?

5. Get at– get (to something), attack (someone), find out, understand (something), bribe, hint.
   

   What are you getting at? - What you're suggesting?

   She was not easy to get at. “It was difficult to approach her.”

6. Get away- run away, run away; go (somewhere), take away; leave, leave; get away with it and remain unpunished.
   

   He shouldn't tell you lies. Don’t let him get away with it. “He shouldn’t have lied to you.” Don't let him get away with it.

   The prisoner got away. - The prisoner escaped.

   We got him away to the mountains. - We took him to the mountains.

7. Get back- return, get back; to take revenge; to pay damages); criticize.
   

   By the time we got back home, she had already slept. – When we returned home, she was already asleep.

   I'd better get back to work. - I'd better get back to work.

   I'll get back at him one day! - Someday I will take revenge on him.

   If I give him some money, I will never get it back. – If I give him some money, I will never get it back.

8. Get back to– contact later, inform, let know; start doing something again.
   

   Anyway I’d better get back to work. “Anyway, I better get back to work.”

   She'll get back to you later with her composition. – She will contact you later about her essay.

9. Get behind– to lag behind (in movement, study).
   

   You don't attend lectures. Are you going to get behind? – You don’t go to lectures. Do you want to fall behind in your studies?

10. Get by– continue to live (despite difficulties); get out of the situation; pass.
    

    Thanks, but I can get by without your help. - Thank you, but I can do without your help.

    Please, let me get by. - Please let me pass.

    You'll never get by with it. - You won't succeed.

11. Get down– swallow; remove (from shelf); go down, get down; write down; tire, depress; upset.
    

    All this mistrust is really getting me down. “All this mistrust really upsets me.”

    I got a book down from the shelf. – I took the book off the shelf.

    The baby couldn't get the pill down. – The child could not swallow the pill.

    Are you getting down everything I’m telling you? – Do you write down everything I tell you?

12. Get down to- to begin, to begin something.
    

    It's time we got down to work. - It's time for us to get to work.

13. Get in– get to know (someone) closely; enter, sit down; return (debts); strike; to harvest); enter; join, enter (somewhere); to be chosen, etc. (meanings of phrasal verb get a lot of).
    

    They got the crops in. - They harvested the crops.

Design have got very popular in English. However, this expression is exclusively colloquial, so its shortened form is mostly found:

• have got → 've got;
• has got → 's got.

In formal written and spoken language have got not used.

This expression has three tasks in English, and each of them has its own characteristics. In this article we invite you to familiarize yourself with three meanings have got and learn some interesting set expressions in which this construction is used.

3 functions have got

1. Have got = to have

Design have got used to show that a person or thing has something or possesses something. This is the basic meaning of this expression.

We use have got:

• When we describe people, animals or objects.
  

  She 's got a soft voice. – She has a soft voice.

  Lion 's got a thick mane. – Lions have thick manes.

  Flamingo has got a long beak. - Flamingos have a long beak.

  This table has got only three legs. This table has only three legs.

• When we show that a person has something or belongs to him.
  

  He 's got a country house. - He has a country house.

  She 's got a new edition of this dictionary. – She has a new edition of this dictionary.

  He 's got a problem. - He has a problem.

  I 've got a brilliant idea. – I have a brilliant idea.

• When we talk about relationships with people and relatives.
  

  She 's got many friends. - She has a lot of friends.

  He 's got a girlfriend. - He has a girlfriend.

  I 've got three brothers. - I have three brothers.

  He 's got strained relations with his father. – He has a strained relationship with his father.

• When we tell what a person is sick with or what hurts them.
  

  I 've got a headache. - I have a headache.

  Melanie 's got a temperature. – Melanie has a fever.

  She 's got a cold - She has a cold.

  They 've got chickenpox. - They have chickenpox.

In this meaning have got is a synonym for the verb to have(have). But it has some limitations. For example, in interrogative and negative sentences with have got you don't need to use an auxiliary verb:

Design have got shows status so it is not used in group times Continuous instead of to have. Also, this function does not involve the use have got in the past or future tense.

note that have got cannot be used in set expressions that use a verb have (have breakfast/lunch/dinner, to have a shower/bath, to have a good time), otherwise these expressions will radically change their meaning. Native speakers don't usually say that.

2. Have got = to get, to receive

Design have got used when we say that we will receive something. In this case it is a synonym for verbs to get, to receive(get). Here have got can be used in all tenses: present, past and future.

She 's got her new sunglasses by mail. She received her new glasses by mail.

A child had got a bump when he fell of the tree. – The child got a bump when he fell from a tree.

Andy had got good news. Andy got good news.

I will have got an answer in a week. – I will receive an answer in a week.

3. Have got to = have to

In the third meaning have got is a synonym. Like have to, have got shows an obligation to do something. There is no difference between them, but have got more emotionally charged than have to, therefore expresses obligation more strongly. Usually we highlight have got in speech by voice.

I 've got to get up early tomorrow. I have a lot of things to do. - I must get up early tomorrow. I have a lot to do.

Pam 's got to get to the bank before 9 or she’ll be late for work. – Pam must get to the bank before 9 or she'll be late for work.

You 've got to take this road or you'll be stuck in a traffic jam. - You must take this road or you'll get stuck in traffic.

We can't wait any longer. You 've got to be there in 5 minutes. - We can't wait any longer. You must be here in five minutes.

In the meaning of a modal verb have got to cannot be used in the past or future tense. In this case should only be used have to (had to, will have to).

We can't wait any longer. You had to be here 5 minutes ago. - We can't wait any longer. You must was here 5 minutes ago.

Watch the video with the teacher Alex. It will tell you about the functions have got in English and will tell you a few more interesting features of this design.

English idioms with have got construction

1. I've got it! - I understand!
   

   First you must stop the car and then switch off the engine. Have you got it? – First you must stop the car, and then turn off the engine. Do you understand?

2. Have got it made- life is good.
   

   He is only 25, but he has his own business. He's got it made. – He is only 25, but he already has his own business. Life is good.

3. Have got it bad- fall head over heels in love.
   

   He saw her just once but he 's got it bad. “He only saw her once, but fell head over heels in love.

4. Have got only yourself to blame- blame only yourself for something.
   

   You overslept and missed the train. You 've got only yourself to blame. - You overslept and missed the train. You you can only blame yourself for this.

5. Have got eyes like a hawk- have a diamond eye, a keen eye.
   

   He managed to find a needle in a haystack. He 's got eyes like a hawk! – He managed to find a needle in a haystack. Very sharp eye!

6. Have got a hand in something- to have a hand in something, to participate in something.
   

   It looks like she 's got a hand in planning the party. - It looks like she put her hand to planning a party.

7. Have got something on somebody- to have something on someone, to have dirt on someone.
   

   She promised to ruin my life but she 's got nothing on me. “She promised to ruin my life, but she there's nothing on me.

Have got is a very useful construction in the English language, as it is often used in live oral speech. With its help, you can build simple and understandable sentences, and interesting idioms will help you diversify your speech even more. Take the test to learn how to use the expression have got in English.

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Test

3 meanings of have got in English