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to get

to get

∞ 1.0
To receive something, for example by buying it or finding it
  • verb
  • /ɡɛt/
: conseguir
  • The children usually went to get colored paper or blank paper from the art center.
  • get a job
  • get money
  • get help

They're in business to get movie and TV deals.

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Examples

  • I need to get some groceries before the store closes.

  • They decided to get a new laptop for their studies.

  • Really, really hard to get these old books.

  • Almost half of all Washington residents with health insurance get their insurance through large group insurance policies.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The sum of all items can be used to get the total engagement score.

    Academic text (2015)
  • I'm gonna go upstairs to get some stuff.

  • They're in business to get movie and TV deals.

  • The library is a useful resource for me to get new books to broaden my knowledge.

    Academic text (2015)
  • She hopes to get a promotion at work this year.

Synonyms

to receive
vsto get
∞ 1.0

To get something that someone gives you

is broader and also includes actively obtaining or catching things
to gain
vsto get
913 1.4

To get something useful, often by effort, like money or skills

is more common and also covers passive or accidental acquisition
to obtain
vsto get
578 2.6

To get something by asking or working for it

is the broader everyday verb covering buying, illness, and parenthood
to acquire
vsto get
468 3.3

To get something or learn a skill over time

is a shorter, more general word covering many ways of acquiring
to get hold
vsto get
  • UK
213 3.2

To contact a person or obtain something you need

is broader and also covers simple receiving or accidental catching
to get hold of
vsto get
104 2.5

To take something in your hand

is wider in meaning, including nonphysical forms of acquisition
to contract
vsto get
70 4.3

Get an illness, for example the flu

also covers this meaning but extends to many nonmedical senses
to procure
vsto get
54 6.8

To get something you need, often by trying hard or getting special help

is more general and used in everyday situations as well
to father
vsto get
42 2.7

To be the male parent of a child

is broader, naming parenthood among many other acquisition senses
to sire
vsto get
23 8.4

To father young animals or people

contains this male parent sense but also other ways of acquiring
to bring forth
vsto get
  • Literature
7 8.1

To give birth to a child or young animal

is more general and used in everyday speech for many gains
to mother
vsto get
6 4.8

To give birth to a child or young animal

is broader, covering both male and female parenthood and other senses
to beget
vsto get
  • Archaic
6 9.9

To become the father of a child, especially in old or religious language

is the everyday form that covers parenthood plus other senses
to generate
vsto get
2 3.0

To make young animals or plants

includes this reproductive sense but also many nonreproductive senses
to engender
vsto get
  • Archaic
1 7.2

To cause the birth of children or young animals

is more common and covers simple obtaining as well as creating
1 4.1

To obtain something that is hard to find or buy

is a general verb that covers easier and harder ways to obtain

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Not be able to find something you once had

490 2.0

Hand something to someone without asking for money

Idioms

from the get-go
  • Informal
51 6.6

Right from the very start

42 8.6

Warn someone not to mention a topic because they talk a lot and get upset

38 7.4

To annoy someone a lot by small things another person does

19 9.9

To put your life in order and take care of your tasks

18 9.2

Leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

to get the memo
  • Informal
18 7.1

To learn about a rule others already know and follow it

12 8.3

Tell people who kiss or cuddle in public to do it privately

To make someone understand or accept something after many tries

10 5.0

To try again after a failure, especially when you feel afraid

to get a life
  • Offensive
8 8.7

Tell someone to do something more interesting with their time

8 8.1

Find a chance to say something when others keep talking

8 8.4

To annoy someone or make them angry

all get out
  • Informal
7 9.9

A very large amount or degree that people use to show emphasis

as all get-out
  • Informal
7 9.9

A very informal phrase people use to mean extremely

To speak directly about the main idea without extra details

5 7.7

To make the first real progress in work or a relationship

To decide what is most important to do

Start talking about the most important details

Agree with others to avoid conflict

to get religion
  • Informal
4 8.6

To become very serious about something after not caring

4 9.9

To start working quickly and seriously

To act as if you are better than others and tell them they are wrong

End up with what you wanted, often in a way you do not like

3 4.8

Lose your job because your employer fires you

To start something after getting everything ready

To start dealing with the most important details

To annoy someone or make them feel defensive

To become very upset about a small problem

2 7.5

To misunderstand each other because of poor communication

Exactly as they appear, with nothing hidden

1 9.7

To start working hard without delay

To become upset or worried about small things

1 9.9

Tell someone in a rude way to decide now or stop wasting time

where to get off
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Angrily tell someone to mind their own business

to get the finger
  • Offensive
1 9.7

Receive a rude hand gesture when someone raises their middle finger

Start a new activity very successfully and make quick progress

1 9.9

Fail to win even a small local job because few people vote for you

1 7.2

To annoy someone again and again so they feel bothered

1 8.4

To start taking part in an activity or group

1 9.9

You say this when you are very sure something will happen

1 9.1

To make someone angry

1 9.9

To be given unfair, unpleasant tasks or treatment

To annoy someone by doing the same small things again and again

Focus immediately on the most important information without extra details

Smell something very strongly, often in an unpleasant way

1 4.6

To organize yourself and behave better to reach a goal

Wake very early in the morning, often before dawn

Tell someone to stop worrying about a problem and move on

1 9.9

Looks very expensive to impress people

1 4.9

Start doing something to gain some experience

1 8.9

To lose a job suddenly because of a mistake or problem

Very unwilling to change their mind

Phrasal Verbs

∞ 1.0

Leave a place or situation

∞ 2.4

Reach a goal, place, or state after effort

∞ 2.8

Start to do or feel something

to get it
  • Informal
∞ 1.1

To understand something after someone explains it

∞ 1.0

To go inside a place or vehicle

∞ 1.0

Take something out of a container like a box or cupboard

∞ 1.6

Have again something you had before it was lost or taken

∞ 3.0

Leave a place quickly or suddenly

∞ 3.1

Become involved in something, often without meaning to

∞ 1.0

To officially become someone's husband or wife

∞ 1.6

To remove or throw away something you do not want

∞ 1.0

To stand up from sitting or lying down

∞ 2.0

Move into or enter a place

970 1.6

To leave a vehicle, for example a bus, or stop annoying someone

932 2.5

To leave a vehicle or animal by stepping down

873 1.0

To become healthier, more skilled, or more successful

774 1.8

To begin doing something, for example a task or meeting

751 4.1

To avoid being punished for something you did wrong

704 2.5

To become more serious, often about health or a situation

659 2.8

To reach a place or goal after overcoming problems

To escape punishment for doing something wrong

646 3.0

To escape from people who are holding you, often by force

598 2.3

To start doing something or to leave

to get together
  • Informal
582 2.0

To meet with other people for a social event or to do something together

541 2.4

Begin to feel comfortable with something that once felt strange

519 1.9

Have a friendly relationship with someone

509 1.0

To leave your bed after sleeping

501 1.0

Board a train, bus, or plane

418 3.2

Make progress with a project

to get to work
  • Informal
416 2.0

To start doing your job, often after a delay

415 2.8

Begin to like and learn about something

408 3.5

Become known to many people, even when it was secret

396 1.0

Become ill and have signs like fever or cough

Face blame or punishment for something you did wrong

361 3.3

Move across something like a river or mountain

348 1.8

To crouch or kneel down to a lower position

322 3.0

Manage to move beyond a problem or a bad feeling

278 1.0

To put on clothes

269 1.0

To feel very eager and happy about something

255 2.8

Recover from an illness, disappointment, or other difficulty

Escape blame or punishment for doing something wrong

245 2.1

To do something correctly so it works as intended

244 2.6

To reply to someone later with information

240 2.2

To be unable to move or continue because something blocks you

To stop or slow something from happening

229 2.3

Continue doing something, especially after an interruption

222 2.7

Be accepted by a school or university

to get to
  • Informal
222 6.3

Annoy or upset someone gradually

Have problems because of what you do

213 3.2

To contact a person or obtain something you need

212 3.3

To pass a time that is difficult or boring

Start doing your job again after a break

to get laid
  • Offensive
203 9.9

To have sex with someone, usually in a short, casual way

194 2.3

Contact someone after not talking for a while

186 9.3

Feel very happy and different after taking drugs or alcohol

185 3.4

Finish an unpleasant or necessary task

182 1.0

Climb onto a horse or bike

to get moving
  • Informal
178 1.6

Start being active or hurry to do something

To finish an unpleasant task quickly so you do not worry about it

172 2.8

To finish a task you need to do

150 3.3

To finish a difficult or long task

148 2.0

Have a friendly relationship with someone

145 1.0

To become covered in water or another liquid

Make progress toward finishing or achieving something

138 2.7

To be accepted to a college or university after you apply

to get back
  • Informal
129 4.2

Do something to hurt someone because they hurt you

128 3.1

Manage to live with little money or help

128 2.1

To finish work at the end of your shift

127 3.5

To climb down from a horse or similar animal

126 3.8

Say something with difficulty because you feel nervous or upset

125 3.2

To go away from work or home to rest and relax

121 4.4

To start doing work or a task seriously

Find the real reason for a problem by checking carefully

Compounds

get-go
  • Informal
54 6.9

The very start of an activity or project

get-together
  • Informal
42 1.9

A small informal meeting for people to talk and spend time together

15 5.6

A chance to avoid punishment or trouble

get-up
  • Informal
8 5.6

A set of clothes worn to attract attention or to hide who you are

A card sent to someone who is ill to wish them a quick recovery

A dishonest plan that promises to make you rich quickly with little work

get-up-and-go
  • Informal
3 6.1

A feeling of energy and enthusiasm to start and do things

How Active

to procure
54 6.8
to obtain
578 2.6
to get
∞ 1.0
to receive
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

get infinitive
getting present participle
gets third person singular
got past
got past participle

Etymology

Get comes from the old English word gietan, which meant 'to obtain' or 'reach'. So to get something is still to 'obtain' or 'receive' it.