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to get down

to get down

44 1.6
To move something from a high place to a lower place
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡɛt daʊn/
translation icon : bajar
  • The firefighter had to get down from the roof quickly to save the trapped child.

And these can serve as food for life beneath the surface if they can get down that far.

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Examples

Synonyms

to put down
vsto get down
812 1.0

To lower something from your hands onto a surface

is the general action of moving from higher to a lower position
to lower
vsto get down
802 1.0

Make something go down in position, amount, or strength

is the act of moving things or people down not reducing amount
to let down
vsto get down
180 2.0

Move something slowly from a higher to a lower position

is the neutral action without stressing careful handling
to descend
vsto get down
150 2.7

Move from a higher to a lower place

is about causing that movement rather than moving oneself
to set down
vsto get down
70 1.7

To put something or someone down gently on a surface

is broader moving, not only gentle placement onto surfaces
to crouch
vsto get down
65 1.8

To lower your body close to the ground by bending your knees and leaning forward

concerns changing heights for objects or people rather than this body posture
to take down
vsto get down
39 1.8

To move something from a high place to a lower place

has the same general meaning but uses different wording
to drop down
vsto get down
34 1.8

To fall from a higher place to a lower place

describes agent caused movement rather than uncontrolled falling
to climb down
vsto get down
29 1.4

Move down from a high place using hands and feet

refers to causing movement of another thing or person rather than self descent
to squat
vsto get down
28 3.4

To bend your knees, lower your body, then stand up

is about changing position of things or people between heights, not exercise
to stoop
vsto get down
27 2.6

To bend your body forward at the waist

focuses on moving objects or people between heights rather than forward bending
to push down
vsto get down
16 2.0

Make something move down by using force

is the general lowering idea without implying applied force
to bring down
vsto get down
15 3.3

Move something or someone from a higher to a lower place, for example land an aircraft

is the simple act of moving from higher to lower without special cases
to pull down
vsto get down
5 3.2

To bring something or someone down from a higher place

is neutral about how the movement is achieved, not emphasizing force
to duck down
vsto get down
3 4.2

To lower your body quickly by bending your knees to avoid being seen or hit

involves moving objects or people between heights rather than quick self ducking
to place down
vsto get down
1 1.7

Put something on a table or chair so it rests

focuses on moving from higher to a lower place rather than settling

Antonyms

107 1.1

To raise someone or something to a higher place

4 2.9

An act of lifting something to a higher position

How Carefully

to take down
46 3.0
to lower
802 1.0
to get down
44 1.6
to bring down
15 3.3
to drop
1.0

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

get + down

The literal meanings of 'get' (move/obtain) and 'down' (lower) give a loose metaphorical image of moving into a lower or focused position, but the specific sense 'to begin doing something seriously' (as in 'get down to business') is an extended, conventionalized meaning that is not directly predictable from the parts. This phrase follows a phrasal-verb pattern where the particle adds a metaphorical/figurative nuance, so a B1 learner who knows the words may not reliably infer the intended sense without prior exposure.

Etymology

Get down meaning 'to move something from a higher to a lower position' comes from the everyday act of taking an object down from a shelf or roof, so it means 'to bring something down'.