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to get back to work

to get back to work

268 1.7
Start doing your job again after a break
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : volver al trabajo
  • After taking a short break, I need to get back to work on my project.
  • people get back to work

More people getting back to work is a good thing.

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Examples

Synonyms

to resume
vsto get back to work
297 3.1

To start an activity again after a pause

is focused specifically on going back to job tasks
to get to work
vsto get back to work
  • Informal
231 2.0

To start doing your job, often after a delay

is about returning to one’s tasks after a pause
to get back on track
vsto get back to work
62 3.4

Start working normally again after a problem or distraction

is narrower, meaning resume actual tasks after interruption
back into the swing of things
vsto get back to work
  • Informal
5 5.3

To start doing your normal work and activities after a break

describes returning to tasks specifically rather than general routine
to reengage
vsto get back to work
4 4.0

Begin being involved again after a break

stresses returning specifically to job duties rather than general involvement
to recommence
vsto get back to work
  • Formal
2 5.6

To begin again after a pause

is more informal and means return to daily tasks
back in the groove
vsto get back to work
  • Informal
2 7.2

Able to work well again after a break

focuses on resuming job tasks, not just feeling effective
to pick up the thread
vsto get back to work
1 4.9

To start an earlier activity or conversation again after an interruption

is about continuing job tasks rather than mainly conversations
to return to muttons
vsto get back to work
9.9

To go back to the main topic or task after a distraction

means returning to job tasks after any pause, not only topic shifts

Antonyms

496 1.4

To stop doing something for a short time to rest or relax before continuing

to call it a day
  • Informal
42 3.1

To stop working for the rest of the day

How Quickly

to work on all cylinders
  • Informal
1 5.2
to resume
297 3.1
to get back to work
268 1.7
to idle
1 3.2

Surface Forms

get back to work infinitive
getting back to work present participle
gets back to work third person singular
got back to work past participle

Morphology

get + back + to + work

The meaning 'to return to one’s job or tasks after a pause' is directly and transparently built from 'get' + 'back' (expressing return) plus 'to work' (specifying the activity/destination). This compositional pattern is common in English and across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The phrase get back to work comes from the simple image of leaving your desk or stopping a task and then returning to it. To get back is to return to your work, so it means 'to return to your job or tasks' after a pause.