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Glite Dictionary
to get to work

to get to work

231 2.0
To start doing your job, often after a delay
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : ponerse a trabajar
  • After the meeting, we decided it was time to get to work on the project.
  • get to work immediately

So she promptly bends down and gets to work shining his shoes.

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Examples

  • So now it was time to get to work clearing trees.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • We said goodbye, and I drove home with every intention of getting to work.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • So we're going to get to work on our stuff.

  • It's time I got to work.

    This Could Be the Night (1957)

  • We got to work together.

    Sparks! (2018)

  • We air in two weeks, so let's get to work.

    The Substance (2024)

  • Now that we have settled our differences, we can get to work.

    Reign of Chaos (2022)

  • Ordinary bloggers all over the country immediately got to work on the problem.

    Academic text (2010)

  • If you're able to get yourself up and get to work on time consistently.

  • Now get to work.

    EverAfter (1998)

Synonyms

to get started
vsto get to work
481 1.8

To begin doing something, for example a task or meeting

emphasizes starting specific tasks, often after a pause or interruption
to get going
vsto get to work
422 2.3

To start doing something or to leave

focuses more on beginning tasks after a delay rather than general movement
to get back to work
vsto get to work
268 1.7

Start doing your job again after a break

can also mean starting work for the first time, not only returning
to get on with
vsto get to work
168 2.3

Continue doing something, especially after an interruption

focuses on beginning again rather than ongoing continuation
to go to work
vsto get to work
95 2.0

To start operating and do the job it was made for

applies to people starting tasks rather than machines beginning to run
to go to work on
vsto get to work
39 3.2

To start doing a task or project seriously

is broader, meaning to start tasks in general rather than deep focused work
to get the ball rolling
vsto get to work
16 2.8

To start a meeting or project by taking the first step

is about starting work on tasks rather than initiating broader processes
to set to work
vsto get to work
7 3.2

To begin working right away with energy

can be less urgent, meaning simply to start working after delay
to get on the stick
vsto get to work
  • Informal
1 9.7

To start working hard without delay

covers starting work generally, not only when fixing past delay
to get your ass in gear
vsto get to work
  • Offensive
9.9

To start working quickly and seriously

means to start work but can be neutral rather than strongly urgent

Antonyms

to procrastinate
26 6.5

To delay doing something you should do because you avoid it

to idle
1 3.2

To spend time doing nothing

How Quickly

to get to work
  • Informal
231 2.0
to begin
∞ 1.0
to put off
113 2.9

Surface Forms

get to work infinitive

Morphology

get + to + work

The meaning 'to begin working' is directly derivable from combining 'get' (move into or begin a state) with 'work' (the activity), with 'to' serving a grammatical linking function. This compositional pattern (get + activity = begin that activity) is common and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will generally understand it.

Etymology

Get to work comes from the simple image of someone reaching their workplace and starting tasks. You get to work and begin doing the job, so it means 'to begin working'.