Phrasal verbs are a fundamental part of English, and the verb “get” is one of the most commonly used in these expressions. It can mean obtaining something, moving somewhere, or changing a state—but when combined with different prepositions or adverbs, its meaning changes entirely!

Mastering phrasal verbs with “get” will help you sound more natural and fluent in English. In this lesson, we’ll explore commonly used phrasal verbs with “get,” their meanings, and how to use them in conversation.

Common Phrasal Verbs with “Get”

1. Get Along (With Someone)

Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone.
Example Sentences:

I get along with my coworkers really well.
Do you get along with your new neighbors?
They used to fight a lot, but now they get along just fine.

Usage Tip:
This is a great phrase for describing relationships between people. If two people don’t have a good relationship, you can say, “They don’t get along.”

2. Get Away

Meaning: To escape or leave a place.
Example Sentences:

The thieves managed to get away before the police arrived.
I need to get away from the city for a while and relax.
He tried to lie, but he couldn’t get away with it.

Usage Tip:

“Get away” (by itself) means to escape or take a break.
“Get away with something” means to do something wrong and not be caught.

3. Get Over (Something/Someone)

Meaning: To recover from an illness, a difficult situation, or a past relationship.
Example Sentences:

It took her months to get over the breakup.
I finally got over my fear of public speaking.
It will take time to get over the loss of his job.

Usage Tip:
This phrasal verb is commonly used when talking about emotional recovery or moving on from a tough experience.

4. Get By

Meaning: To manage or survive, especially financially.
Example Sentences:

Even with a small salary, he manages to get by.
How do you get by in a foreign country without speaking the language?
I don’t earn much, but I can get by with what I have.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is useful in conversations about finances, life challenges, or difficult situations.

5. Get Out (Of Something)

Meaning: To leave a place or avoid doing something.
Example Sentences:

I need to get out of this boring meeting!
How did you get out of doing your chores?
We finally got out of the traffic jam after an hour.

Usage Tip:
This phrasal verb can be used literally (physically leaving a place) or figuratively (avoiding a responsibility or situation).

6. Get Up

Meaning: To wake up or stand up.
Example Sentences:

I usually get up at 6 a.m. for work.
Get up and help me clean the house!
He got up from his chair and walked out of the room.

Usage Tip:
This is a basic but essential phrasal verb that English learners use daily.

7. Get Through (Something)

Meaning: To successfully complete something difficult or survive a tough time.
Example Sentences:

Final exams were hard, but I got through them.
She got through the surgery and is now recovering.
Can you help me get through this long report?

Usage Tip:
This phrasal verb is often used to describe overcoming challenges or finishing difficult tasks.

8. Get Into (Something)

Meaning: To become interested in or involved with something.
Example Sentences:

I recently got into yoga, and I love it!
How did you get into photography?
She got into trouble for skipping school.

Usage Tip:
“Get into” can refer to hobbies, interests, or even trouble (depending on the context).

9. Get Back (To Someone/Something)

Meaning: To return to someone or something.
Example Sentences:

I’ll get back to you later with the details.
Let’s get back to work after lunch.
She finally got back to her hometown after 10 years.

Usage Tip:
This is commonly used in emails or professional conversations when you need to reply later.

10. Get Rid Of (Something)

Meaning: To remove or throw away something unwanted.
Example Sentences:

I need to get rid of these old clothes.
How can I get rid of a bad habit?
She finally got rid of her old car and bought a new one.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is often used for cleaning, eliminating bad habits, or solving problems.

11. Get On (With Something/Someone)

Meaning: To continue doing something or to have a good relationship.
Example Sentences:

Stop wasting time and get on with your work!
Do you get on well with your new boss?
They didn’t get on at first, but now they are good friends.

Usage Tip:
This phrase is especially common in the UK when talking about relationships and work.

12. Get Ahead

Meaning: To succeed or make progress, especially in your career.
Example Sentences:

Hard work is the key to getting ahead in life.
She’s taking extra courses to get ahead at work.
If you want to get ahead, you need to be proactive.

Usage Tip:
This is commonly used in professional and career-related conversations.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Match the Phrasal Verb to the Meaning

Match each phrasal verb with the correct meaning.

Get by
Get ahead
Get over
Get into
Get rid of

a) Recover from something
b) Remove something unwanted
c) Become involved or interested in something
d) Progress or succeed
e) Manage or survive

(Answer Key: 1-e, 2-d, 3-a, 4-c, 5-b)

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb.

It took me a long time to ________ my fear of public speaking.
If you work hard, you will ________ in your career.
I don’t use this jacket anymore. I need to ________ it.
How do you ________ on such a small salary?
She’s really ________ painting lately.

(Answer Key: 1. Get over, 2. Get ahead, 3. Get rid of, 4. Get by, 5. Got into)

Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs with “get” will help you understand natural conversations and improve your English fluency. Try using these expressions in your daily conversations to reinforce your learning!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some common phrasal verbs with “get,” and what do they mean?

Phrasal verbs with “get” can significantly change in meaning when combined with different particles. Here are a few essential ones to know:

Get up: This means to rise from bed in the morning. For example, “What time do you get up in the morning?”
Get along: This means to have a good relationship with someone. For instance, “I get along well with my coworkers.”
Get over: This can mean recovering from an illness or a difficult situation. For example, “It took me a while to get over the flu.”
Get away: This often means to go on a vacation or short trip. An example would be, “I can’t wait to get away this weekend.”
Get by: This means managing or surviving, usually financially. You might say, “We didn’t have much money, but we managed to get by.”

2. Why are phrasal verbs with “get” essential for ESL learners?

Phrasal verbs, especially those with “get,” are frequently used in everyday conversation by native English speakers. Mastering these can improve your fluency and help you understand conversations more naturally. They are often used in informal contexts, making your speech sound more casual and less textbook-like. For example, understanding the difference between “get up” and “get down” can prevent potential misunderstandings, as they imply entirely different actions.

3. How can I practice phrasal verbs with “get” to improve my English?

Practice makes perfect, especially with phrasal verbs that can be tricky. Here are some strategies for practicing phrasal verbs with “get”:

Flashcards: Create flashcards with the phrasal verb on one side and its meaning and example sentence on the back. This can help reinforce your memory.
Conversation practice: Try using these phrasal verbs in your daily chats with friends or language partners. This could be done over a coffee or during a language exchange.
Writing exercises: Incorporate them into your writing tasks, whether it’s journaling, writing essays, or emails to improve retention.
Quizzes: Take online quizzes and practice exercises to test your knowledge and identify areas that need improvement.

4. Could you provide some tips for understanding and remembering phrasal verbs with “get”?

Here are several strategies that might help you get the hang of phrasal verbs with “get”:

Create associations: Associating a phrasal verb with a mental image can make it easier to remember. For instance, visualizing yourself physically “getting over” a hurdle can help you remember what “get over” means.
Group thematically: Group phrasal verbs by common themes or contexts. For example, collect verbs under categories like “travel” (get away), “relationships” (get along), and “emotions” (get over).
Learn in context: Memorize phrasal verbs in full sentences rather than isolation; context helps cement their meaning and usage.
Repetition: Consistent exposure to phrasal verbs through reading, listening, and speaking ensures they become a natural part of your vocabulary.

5. Are there any fun activities or games to help me learn phrasal verbs with “get” more effectively?

Absolutely! Here are a few engaging ways to learn phrasal verbs with “get”:

Role-playing: Set up scenarios with friends or classmates where you can improvise conversations using the phrasal verbs you’ve learned. You can pretend you’re planning a vacation to incorporate phrasal verbs like “get away” and “get back.”
Board games: Create a board game where you advance spaces every time you correctly use a phrasal verb in a sentence.
Story creation: Write a collaborative story where each person contributes a sentence using a different phrasal verb with “get.” This can get quite creative and offer laughs as well.
Charades: Play charades with friends where one person acts out a phrasal verb for others to guess. This can be both challenging and entertaining.

Phrasal verbs with “get” can be complex, but with these techniques and a good amount of practice, you can master them and sound more fluent in no time!