Contents
Phrasal verbs with GET can feel confusing at first, but they are essential for natural, everyday English. In this lesson, you’ll learn a clear, learner-friendly set of common phrasal verbs with GET with pronunciation, meaning, examples, and grammar notes (including separable vs. inseparable).
✅ Quick grammar reminder: GET is an irregular verb: get – got – got/gotten (American English often uses gotten).
List of Common Phrasal Verbs with GET
- Get about
- Get across
- Get ahead
- Get after
- Get along
- Get around
- Get at
- Get away
- Get away with
- Get back
- Get behind
- Get by
- Get down
- Get down to
- Get in
- Get into
- Get off
- Get on
- Get out
- Get over
- Get over with
- Get rid of
- Get stuck
- Get taken in
- Get through
- Get to
- Get up
- Get with
Phrasal Verbs with GET with Meaning & Examples
Get about
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet əˈbaʊt/
📖 Meaning 1: To travel or move around to different places.
📝 Example: I love to get about and explore new neighborhoods.
📖 Meaning 2: (News/rumors) To spread or become widely known.
📝 Example: The news quickly got about the office.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: travel around, spread
Get across
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet əˈkrɔːs/
📖 Meaning 1: To communicate an idea clearly so others understand.
📝 Example: I couldn’t get my point across during the meeting.
📖 Meaning 2: To cross (a river, bridge, or distance).
📝 Example: We hurried to get across the bridge before it closed.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive (Meaning 1) / Intransitive (Meaning 2) | Structure: Separable (Meaning 1)
Separable pattern: get something across / get across something
🔄 Synonyms: communicate, convey; cross
Get ahead
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet əˈhed/
📖 Meaning 1: To make progress in work or life (especially career success).
📝 Example: She took extra courses to get ahead in her career.
📖 Meaning 2: To gain an advantage over others.
📝 Example: Some people will do anything to get ahead.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: advance, move up
Get after
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet ˈɑːftər/
📖 Meaning 1: To chase or pursue someone/something.
📝 Example: The dog got after the squirrel and chased it up a tree.
📖 Meaning 2: To scold someone strongly.
📝 Example: The coach got after the team for arriving late.
📖 Meaning 3: To start working seriously on a task or goal.
📝 Example: I need to get after my emails this morning.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: pursue, criticize, tackle
Get along
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet əˈlɔːŋ/
📖 Meaning 1: To have a friendly relationship.
📝 Example: I get along well with my coworkers.
📖 Meaning 2: To make progress / manage in life.
📝 Example: How are you getting along with your new job?
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
Important: Use get along with someone for relationships.
✅ Correct: She gets along with her neighbors.
🔄 Synonyms: get on, do well
Get around
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet əˈraʊnd/
📖 Meaning 1: To move from place to place (especially when it’s difficult).
📝 Example: After his injury, he used a cane to get around.
📖 Meaning 2: (News/rumors) To spread among people.
📝 Example: The rumor got around before the official announcement.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: move around, circulate
Get at
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet ət/
📖 Meaning 1: To reach or access something.
📝 Example: I can’t get at the box on the top shelf.
📖 Meaning 2: To mean something indirectly (“What are you implying?”).
📝 Example: What exactly are you getting at?
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: reach, imply
Get away
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet əˈweɪ/
📖 Meaning 1: To escape or leave a place.
📝 Example: The thief tried to get away, but the police caught him.
📖 Meaning 2: To take a short vacation / break.
📝 Example: We’re hoping to get away for the weekend.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: escape, leave, take a break
Get away with
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet əˈweɪ wɪð/
📖 Meaning: To do something wrong and not be punished or caught.
📝 Example: He thought he could get away with lying, but everyone noticed.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive | Structure: Inseparable
Pattern: get away with + noun/gerund (get away with cheating)
🔄 Synonyms: escape punishment for
Get back
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet bæk/
📖 Meaning 1: To return.
📝 Example: We got back from our trip last night.
📖 Meaning 2: To recover something.
📝 Example: She finally got back her lost phone.
📖 Meaning 3: To reply/contact later.
📝 Example: I’ll get back to you tomorrow.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive/Intransitive | Structure: Separable (Meaning 2)
Separable pattern: get something back / get back something
🔄 Synonyms: return, recover, respond
Get behind
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet bɪˈhaɪnd/
📖 Meaning: To fall late or not make enough progress.
📝 Example: I got behind with my work this week.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
Common pattern: get behind with/on something
🔄 Synonyms: fall behind, lag
Get by
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet baɪ/
📖 Meaning 1: To manage with limited money/resources.
📝 Example: They get by on a small salary.
📖 Meaning 2: To do something with only a small amount of effort (just enough).
📝 Example: I can get by with basic Spanish while traveling.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: manage, cope
Get down
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet daʊn/
📖 Meaning 1: To make someone feel sad or discouraged.
📝 Example: The gloomy weather really gets me down.
📖 Meaning 2: To write/record something.
📝 Example: Get down the main points before you forget them.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive | Structure: Separable
Separable pattern: get something down / get down something
🔄 Synonyms: depress, write down
Get down to
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet daʊn tuː/
📖 Meaning: To start doing something seriously.
📝 Example: Let’s get down to work.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
Pattern: get down to + noun/gerund (get down to studying)
🔄 Synonyms: start, focus on
Get in
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet ɪn/
📖 Meaning 1: To enter (a place/vehicle).
📝 Example: Hurry up and get in the car.
📖 Meaning 2: To arrive.
📝 Example: Our flight got in late.
📖 Meaning 3: To become involved (often: join early).
📝 Example: She got in on the deal at the right time.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: enter, arrive, join
Get into
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet ˈɪntuː/
📖 Meaning 1: To become interested in something.
📝 Example: I got into podcasts during the lockdown.
📖 Meaning 2: To become involved in trouble/a difficult situation.
📝 Example: He got into trouble for speeding.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: become interested in, get involved in
Get off
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet ɔːf/
📖 Meaning 1: To leave a bus/train/plane.
📝 Example: We got off the bus at the next stop.
📖 Meaning 2: To avoid punishment (often with “with”).
📝 Example: He got off with a warning.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: exit, avoid penalty
Get on
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet ɒn/
📖 Meaning 1: To board transport.
📝 Example: She got on the train at 7 a.m.
📖 Meaning 2: To have a good relationship (often: get on with).
📝 Example: I don’t get on with my manager.
📖 Meaning 3: To continue doing something.
📝 Example: Let’s get on with the presentation.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: board, get along, continue
Get out
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet aʊt/
📖 Meaning 1: To leave a place.
📝 Example: I need to get out of the office early today.
📖 Meaning 2: To remove something (often stains).
📝 Example: I can’t get the coffee stain out.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive (Meaning 2) / Intransitive (Meaning 1) | Structure: Separable (Meaning 2)
Important pattern: get something out (of something)
✅ Example: She got the stain out of her shirt.
🔄 Synonyms: leave, remove
Get over
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet ˈəʊvər/
📖 Meaning 1: To recover from an illness or difficult experience.
📝 Example: It took me a week to get over the flu.
📖 Meaning 2: To move on emotionally.
📝 Example: She’s still trying to get over the breakup.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: recover from, move on
Get over with
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet ˈəʊvər wɪð/
📖 Meaning: To finish something unpleasant as quickly as possible.
📝 Example: Let’s get the meeting over with.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive | Structure: Separable
Separable pattern: get something over with
🔄 Synonyms: finish quickly, get done
Get rid of
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet rɪd əv/
📖 Meaning: To remove or throw away something unwanted.
📝 Example: I need to get rid of these old papers.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: remove, eliminate
Get stuck
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet stʌk/
📖 Meaning: To be unable to move or make progress.
📝 Example: I got stuck on question 5 of the test.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: be trapped, be unable to continue
Get taken in
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet ˈteɪkən ɪn/
📖 Meaning: To be deceived or tricked.
📝 Example: Don’t get taken in by fake online reviews.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Passive meaning | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: be fooled, be tricked
Get through
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet θruː/
📖 Meaning 1: To finish something difficult.
📝 Example: I finally got through the last chapter.
📖 Meaning 2: To successfully contact someone (phone/message).
📝 Example: I tried calling, but I couldn’t get through.
📖 Meaning 3: To survive a hard time.
📝 Example: We’ll get through this together.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive/Transitive | Structure: Inseparable
Common pattern: get through to someone (communicate effectively)
🔄 Synonyms: finish, contact, survive
Get to
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet tuː/
📖 Meaning 1: To arrive at a place.
📝 Example: What time did you get to the airport?
📖 Meaning 2: To start doing something (often tasks).
📝 Example: I need to get to cleaning the kitchen.
📖 Meaning 3: To bother or affect someone emotionally.
📝 Example: The negative comments really got to him.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: arrive, begin, upset
Get up
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet ʌp/
📖 Meaning 1: To rise from bed or from a seat.
📝 Example: I get up at 6 a.m. on weekdays.
📖 Meaning 2: To stand up after being down.
📝 Example: He fell, but he quickly got up.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Intransitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: rise, stand up
Get with
🔊 Pronunciation: /ɡet wɪð/
📖 Meaning 1: (Informal) To understand and accept a new idea/situation.
📝 Example: It’s time to get with the program and follow the new rules.
📖 Meaning 2: To cooperate or coordinate with someone.
📝 Example: Let’s get with the design team and confirm the plan.
💡 Grammar Note: Type: Transitive | Structure: Inseparable
🔄 Synonyms: understand, coordinate with
Dialogue Examples with Phrasal Verbs with GET
Dialogue 1
A: Did you manage to explain the change to the client?
B: Not at first. I had to use a simple chart to get the main idea across.
A: At least you didn’t get behind with the deadline.
B: True. Now I just want to get the last call over with.
Dialogue 2
A: How are you getting along in your new apartment?
B: Pretty well, but I’m trying to get rid of a lot of old stuff.
A: Nice! Want to get away this weekend?
B: I’d love to—if I can get through my to-do list first.
Exercises with Answers
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks (choose the best phrasal verb)
(get across, get away with, get behind, get rid of, get through)
- I tried to ______ my point ______, but everyone kept interrupting.
- He thought he could ______ cheating, but the teacher noticed.
- I fell sick and ______ with my work for three days.
- We need to ______ these broken boxes before we move.
- She finally ______ the interview and felt relieved.
Exercise 2: Choose the correct option
- We arrived late because our train (got in / got off) after midnight.
- Stop worrying. We’ll (get through / get taken in) this problem together.
- I can’t (get at / get about) the files without a password.
- He’s trying to (get ahead / get out) in his career by learning new skills.
- Don’t (get taken in / get down to) by fake discounts online.
Answer Key
Exercise 1
- get my point across
- get away with
- got behind
- get rid of
- got through
Exercise 2
- got in
- get through
- get at
- get ahead
- get taken in
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are phrasal verbs with GET separable?
A: Some are separable (especially when they take an object), but many are inseparable. For example, get something across and get something out are usually separable, while get away and get along are inseparable.
Q: What’s the difference between “get along” and “get along with”?
A: Get along often means “make progress” in life or a situation. Get along with specifically means “have a good relationship with someone.”
Q: What’s the difference between “get away” and “get away with”?
A: Get away means “escape” or “go on a short break.” Get away with means “do something wrong and avoid punishment.”
Conclusion
Phrasal verbs with GET appear everywhere in real English—at work, in travel, in daily conversations, and in media. Focus on the most common meanings, learn the separable patterns, and practice with short dialogues and exercises. Little by little, you’ll start using them naturally.
👉 Download the PDF of phrasal verbs with GET to study offline.
Want to keep learning? Check out more lessons: