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Glite Dictionary
to get a load of

to get a load of

24 8.4
Tell someone to look at something surprising or interesting
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡɛt ə loʊd əv/
  • Informal
translation icon : fijarse en
  • Wait until you get a load of the banquet room.
  • Hey, get a load of
  • Wait 'til you get a load of
  • Get a load of this guy

And if you couldn't dance and stood on the seat cover on the manhole cover, the base would make you go get a load of me.

Examples

Synonyms

to look
vsto get a load of
∞ 1.0

To direct the eyes toward something to see it

is more informal and emphasizes noticing something surprising or noteworthy
to take a look
vsto get a load of
∞ 1.3

To look at something to check it or find information

is more about calling attention informally and often to something striking
to have a look
vsto get a load of
412 1.3

To check something carefully, for example an essay or a machine

is more informal and adds a sense of surprise when directing attention
to get a look
vsto get a load of
88 2.8

To see someone or something for a short time

is about actively drawing informal attention and often showing surprise
lookie
vsto get a load of
  • Informal
30 9.0

A word people say to call someone's attention to something nearby

is alike but more about being surprised or noting something remarkable
to take a gander
vsto get a load of
  • Informal
10 8.2

To look quickly and casually at something you are curious about

is more about informally drawing attention and often showing surprise
looky
vsto get a load of
  • Informal
8 9.9

People say it to get someone to look at something

is similar but places more stress on surprise or striking quality
to lookee
vsto get a load of
  • Informal
8 9.9

To look at something and show it to someone playfully

is similar but specifically signals noticing something surprising or noteworthy
lookit over there
vsto get a load of
  • Informal
9.9

Say this to get someone to look over there

is the same but adds strong surprise or noteworthy emphasis when pointing it out
to lookit
vsto get a load of
  • Informal
9.9

Tell someone to look at something or pay attention

is similar but highlights surprise or unusual notice rather than simple attention
to take a squizz
vsto get a load of
  • Australian
9.9

To have a quick look at something because you are curious

is used more to attract attention and to highlight something remarkable

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

Surface Forms

get a load of infinitive

Morphology

get + a + loads + of

The sense 'look at' or 'pay attention to' does not follow from 'get' (obtain/catch), 'a' (article), 'load(s)' (a large amount) and 'of' — a literal reading would suggest obtaining a quantity, not noticing something. This is an informal, idiomatic usage to draw attention, so a B1 learner who only knows the constituent meanings would be unlikely to derive the figurative sense.

Etymology

Get a load of may come from the image of someone being shown a heavy load that makes them stop and look. One popular story says people used it like 'take in this big thing', so today it means 'look at' or 'notice' something surprising.