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Glite Dictionary
to get the goods

to get the goods

1 6.9
To find proof that someone did something wrong
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : conseguir pruebas
  • After speaking to several witnesses, the detective was able to get the goods on the suspect.

Examples

Synonyms

to dig up dirt
vsto get the goods
  • Informal
9 6.5

Look for and tell secret or bad things about someone to harm them

aims at evidence, especially incriminating, not just scandal or embarrassment
to get the goods on
vsto get the goods
  • Informal
3 7.7

To find secret or harmful information about someone to use against them

focuses on obtaining evidence, especially incriminating, rather than mere gossip

Antonyms

to lose
∞ 1.1

Fail to understand or follow what someone says

How Incriminating

to get the goods
  • Informal
1 6.9
to expose
342 4.1
to find out
∞ 2.1
to learn
∞ 1.0
to hear
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

get + the + good

Although 'get' means 'obtain' and 'goods' literally refers to merchandise, the MWE 'get the goods (on someone)' specifically means to obtain incriminating evidence — a slang/idiomatic extension not directly derivable from the literal senses. This metaphorical shift from tangible 'goods' to 'damaging information' is not a predictable compositional meaning for a B1 learner, so the phrase is opaque.

Etymology

Get the goods may come from the image of taking out a person's hidden or stolen goods — the actual items that prove guilt. So to get the goods now means 'to find the evidence' against someone.