Phrasal Verbs with Get and Meaning

April 17, 2025

Introduction

The word ‘get’ is at the heart of countless phrasal verbs in English, making it one of the most adaptable and widely used words in the language. Whether it’s ‘get up, ’ ‘get over, ’ or ‘get along, ’ this small but mighty verb changes meaning dramatically depending on the words that follow it. In this blog post, we’ll explore the many ways ‘get’ functions within phrasal verbs, helping you unlock a deeper understanding of English expressions and everyday communication.

The Many Uses of "Get"

"Get" is a versatile verb that can be used in a variety of contexts, often meaning "to obtain," "to acquire," "to receive," or "to fetch." For instance, you might ask someone to "get" you a drink or a specific item, like saying, "Can you please get me a cup of coffee?" or "I need to get a new pair of shoes." This usage suggests an action where you are either retrieving something for yourself or receiving it from someone else. Additionally, "get" can be used to express actions related to reaching a goal or condition, such as "I need to get to work early tomorrow" or "Let's get started on the project."

On the other hand, "get" can also function as an adjective, indicating a change in emotional state, particularly when someone is becoming angry, irritated, or annoyed. For example, when someone says, "My boss is getting angry with me," they are referring to a gradual change in their boss's emotional state. Similarly, if someone says, "I'm getting annoyed with your constant whining," it implies that they are slowly becoming irritated. In this sense, "get" highlights the process of transformation from one emotional state to another, often related to frustration or heightened feelings.

 

"Get" + Adjective

"Get" can also be used with adjectives to create new meanings.

For example:

  • Get lost! (Meaning: go away!)
  • Get real! (Meaning: be realistic!)
  • Get busy! (Meaning: start working or get to work!)
  • Get serious! (Meaning: stop joking, be more sincere!)
  • Get ready! (Meaning: prepare yourself!)
  • Get out! (Meaning: leave, go away!)
  • Get ahead! (Meaning: advance or make progress!)
  • Get back! (Meaning: return to a previous position or state!)
  • Get even! (Meaning: take revenge or settle a score!)
  • Get cold! (Meaning: become chilly or cold in temperature!)
  • Get smart! (Meaning: become more intelligent or clever!)
  • Get dark! (Meaning: become nighttime or lose light!)
  • Get better! (Meaning: improve or become healthier!)
  • Get tough! (Meaning: become more resilient or strong!)
  • Get worse! (Meaning: become more unpleasant or difficult!)

"Get" + Verb

"Get" can also be used with verbs to create new meanings.

For example:

  • I need to get dressed. (Meaning: put on clothes)
  • Can you please get the door? (Meaning: open the door)
  • I need to get ready. (Meaning: prepare)
  • She got lost on the way. (Meaning: became lost)
  • Let’s get started on the project. (Meaning: begin)
  • He got hurt playing soccer. (Meaning: became injured)
  • We should get going soon. (Meaning: leave or start moving)
  • She got tired after working all day. (Meaning: became tired)
  • He got promoted last month. (Meaning: received a higher position at work)
  • I got stuck in traffic. (Meaning: became unable to move)
  • They got married last year. (Meaning: became husband and wife)
  • We got caught in the rain. (Meaning: were unexpectedly in the rain)
  • She got confused by the instructions. (Meaning: became unsure or puzzled)
  • Let’s get something to eat. (Meaning: obtain food)
  • He got accepted into university. (Meaning: was given admission)
  • I got my car fixed. (Meaning: arranged for someone to repair the car)
  • She got her hair done for the event. (Meaning: arranged for her hair to be styled)

"Get" + Noun

"Get" can also be used with nouns to create new meanings.

For example:

  • I need to get a haircut. (Meaning: have my hair cut)
  • Can you please get the groceries? (Meaning: buy groceries)
  • I need to get a ticket. (Meaning: buy a ticket)
  • She got a job at the new company. (Meaning: obtained a job)
  • He got a new phone last week. (Meaning: bought a new phone)
  • We need to get a taxi. (Meaning: take or hire a taxi)
  • They got a gift for their friend. (Meaning: bought or obtained a gift)
  • She got a call from her boss. (Meaning: received a call)
  • I got a letter in the mail. (Meaning: received a letter)
  • He got a raise at work. (Meaning: received a salary increase)
  • She got an invitation to the party. (Meaning: received an invitation)
  • We got a table by the window. (Meaning: obtained a table at a restaurant)
  • He got a cold last week. (Meaning: became sick)
  • She got an award for her project. (Meaning: received an award)
  • I got a surprise when I opened the door. (Meaning: experienced a surprise)
  • They got a permit for the event. (Meaning: obtained official permission)
  • He got a fine for speeding. (Meaning: received a penalty)
  • She got a refund for the broken item. (Meaning: received money back)
  • I got a clue about the answer. (Meaning: received a hint)
  • They got a good deal on the car. (Meaning: obtained a bargain)
  • He got a good grade on his exam. (Meaning: received a high score)
  • She got a chance to meet her favorite singer. (Meaning: had the opportunity)

"Get" + Preposition

"Get" can also be used with prepositions to create new meanings.

For example:

  • I need to get out of here. (Meaning: leave this place)
  • Can you please get away from me? (Meaning: move away from me)
  • I need to get out of here. (Meaning: leave this place)
  • Can you please get away from me? (Meaning: move away from me)
  • He got into trouble last week. (Meaning: became involved in trouble)
  • She got through the test with flying colors. (Meaning: successfully completed)
  • We need to get over this situation. (Meaning: recover from this situation)
  • He got along with everyone at the party. (Meaning: had a good relationship with)
  • I got up early this morning. (Meaning: woke up and got out of bed)
  • She got by without help. (Meaning: managed to survive or succeed without assistance)
  • They got back from their vacation yesterday. (Meaning: returned from a trip)
  • I’ll get on the bus at 8:00. (Meaning: board the bus)
  • He got ahead of the competition. (Meaning: advanced or progressed faster than others)
  • She got into the car and drove away. (Meaning: entered the car)
  • I got out of bed at noon. (Meaning: left the bed)
  • We need to get down to work. (Meaning: start focusing on work)
  • He got off the bus at the next stop. (Meaning: exited the bus)

"Get" + Infinitive

"Get" can also be used with infinitives to create new meanings.

For example:

  • I need to get to work. (Meaning: go to work)
  • Can you please get home? (Meaning: go home)\
  • I need to get to sleep. (Meaning: fall asleep)
  • He got to eat his favorite meal. (Meaning: had the opportunity to eat)
  • She got to see her favorite singer live. (Meaning: had the chance to see)
  • We got to visit a new country. (Meaning: had the opportunity to visit)
  • He got to know his coworkers better. (Meaning: became familiar with)
  • She got to the airport on time. (Meaning: arrived at the airport)
  • I got to meet the author of the book. (Meaning: had the opportunity to meet)
  • They got to experience something new. (Meaning: had the chance to experience)
  • He got to his destination safely. (Meaning: arrived at his destination)
  • She got to explain her side of the story. (Meaning: had the opportunity to explain)
  • I got to help with the project. (Meaning: had the chance to help)
  • We got to celebrate together. (Meaning: had the opportunity to celebrate)
  • He got to finish his work early. (Meaning: was able to finish)
  • She got to hear the news first. (Meaning: had the chance to hear)
  • They got to spend time with their family. (Meaning: had the opportunity to spend time)
  • I got to try a new dish. (Meaning: had the chance to try)
  • We got to enjoy the sunset. (Meaning: had the opportunity to enjoy)
  • He got to be part of the team. (Meaning: had the chance to be included)
  • She got to learn a new skill. (Meaning: had the opportunity to learn)
  • They got to take a break. (Meaning: had the chance to rest)

Get started with phrasal verbs using “get”

If you're just getting started with learning phrasal verbs, then the best place to start is with the verb "get." This is one of the most common verbs in English, and it's also one of the most versatile. You can use "get" in all sorts of different ways, and it can be a great way to add some variety to your sentence structure.

Here are a few examples of how you can use "get" in a sentence:

  • I need to get dressed for my date tonight. This means that you have to put on clothes in order to be ready for your date.
  • Can you please get the door for me? This means that you want someone to open the door for you.
  • I need to get a new phone. This means that you want to buy a new phone.
  • Get a handle on the meaning of these phrasal verbs

Now that you know how to use the verb "get" in a sentence, it's time to start learning some of the different ways that you can use it. Phrasal verbs are just verbs that are made up of two or more words, and they often have a different meaning than the original verb. Here are a few examples of common phrasal verbs that use the verb "get":

Get up: This means to stand up or to get out of bed.

Get dressed: This means to put on clothes.

Get out: This means to leave a place.

Get in: This means to enter a place.

 

Get more examples of how to use these phrasal verbs in sentences

Now that you know some of the most common phrasal verbs that use the verb "get," it's time to start using them in sentences. Here are a few examples of how you can use these phrasal verbs in a sentence:

  • I need to get up early for my flight tomorrow. This means that you need to wake up early in order to catch your flight.
  • I need to get dressed for my date tonight. This means that you need to put on clothes in order to be ready for your date
  • Can you please get out of my way? This means that you want someone to move out of your way.
  • Can you please get in the car? This means that you want someone to enter the car.

phrasal verbs with get exercises

Welcome to your phrasal verbs with get exercises

I need to get early for my flight tomorrow

I need to get ____ the ladder to reach it.

How do you plan to get _______ in your career?

Which of the following verbs can be used as a synonym for "get"?

In which sentence is "get" used correctly?

Choose the correct form of "get" to complete the sentence: I can't ________ my favorite book anywhere.

What does "get away with" mean?

Which phrasal verb means "to persuade someone to do something"?

Match the following verb with its definition: Get back

Match the following verb with its definition: Get along

Match the following verb with its definition: Get over

Match the following verb with its definition: Get in

Match the following verb with its definition: Get out

Dennis wanted to go to the concert, but he didn't have a ticket. He decided to try his luck and wait outside the venue to see if he could get in. What does Dennis want to do?

Why did Dennis decide to wait outside the venue?

Emily was feeling sad because she had failed her math test. She knew she had to get over her disappointment and study harder for the next one. How did Emily feel after failing her math test?

What does Emily need to do to improve her performance?

🎉 Ready for a challenge? Want to ace our latest quizzes? Drop your email below to get started! 📩📝

Don't be afraid to experiment with using get phrasal verbs in different ways. There are often multiple ways to use them, so it's good to experiment to see what sounds best in different contexts. Let's get started. Drop a comment using "get" in a sentence. Learn English with your own Online Personal Tutor

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