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In a recent post we saw simple phrasal verbs with get, in other words phrasal verbs made up of get and one particle (get by, get off, get out, etc.) Now let’s look at some complex phrasal verbs with get, phrasal verbs that are made of get and at least two particles (get away with, get around to, and so on.)
You’re not going to get away with this!
To get away with something means to do something wrong without consequence.
- He’s been lying and breaking the law, but he’s getting away with it.
- I never got away with anything when I was a kid. My mom knew everything I did.
- If you have a lot of money for a great lawyer, you just may get away with a crime.
I haven’t gotten around to it yet.
To get around to (something) means to finally be able to do something after having been too busy to do it.
- I’ve been busy all week so I haven’t gotten around to calling you back.
- When do you think you’re going to get around to the laundry? The pile’s getting big!
- We finally got around to planning our vacation, so now it’s all I can think of.
Let’s get on with it!
To get on with something means to continue to do something, or to focus on something so that you can complete it.
- Why are you moving so slowly? Come on, get on with it!
- Can we hit play and get on with this movie? I want to go to bed at a decent hour.
- Alright, let’s get on with the story. Where were we…?
I’ll get back at you for this!
To get back at someone (for something) means to take revenge.
- If you do something bad to me, I’ll get back at you for it.
- When Jerry’s boss he’s going to get back at all of his colleagues who didn’t support him.
- I played a trick on my sister, and she hasn’t gotten back at me yet, but she will!
Let me get back to you on that.
To get back to someone (about or on something) means to return a call or email, or to respond to something later.
- I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to you yet, but I was out of the office for a week.
- I don’t know the answer to the question yet. Can I get back to you on it?
- Have you gotten back to your uncle yet? He called last week and is expecting a return call.
We’re getting away from the topic.
To get away from something can mean to escape or evade something. Or it has a more figurative meaning, to stray away from or to lose sight of (a point, a purpose, a topic, etc.)
- The bird managed to get away from the cat.
- I think we’re getting away from the purpose of this meeting. Can we focus?
- This organization started with a simple mission, but it’s really gotten away from its original purpose.
Let’s get down to business.
To get down to (work, a discussion, etc.) means to begin working on, talking about, or focusing on something. The idiom to get down to brass tacks means to focus on the important details or facts of something.
- Now that everyone is here, let’s start the meeting and get down to business.
- No more small talk, let’s get down to the reason we’re all here.
- We need to get down to a discussion of our budget. Some of these numbers seem unrealistic.
The kids always get up to something.
Get up to has a literal (prepositional) meaning: to climb or move to a higher position. But it also has a phrasal use, meaning to do something bad or naughty.
- The elevator’s not working, so we need to take the stairs to get up to the apartment.
- The kite is stuck really high in the tree. I don’t think I can get up to it.
- If I leave the kids alone they’ll get up to something.
- Don’t take your eye off the puppy for a minute! He’ll get up to some sort of mischief.
- I’m afraid to leave you two alone. God knows what you’ll get up to.
Get rid of that horrible painting!
To get rid of something means to throw it out, to remove it or make it disappear.
- We’re finally getting rid of that old sofa and buying a new one!
- Why did you get rid of those books? There were some really good ones!
- Can you help me get rid of all of the boxes in my garage?
He got off with a slap on the wrist!
To get off with (some minor punishment) means to receive only a minor fine or punishment, when you probably deserve something much more severe. The expression to get off with a slap on the wrist means to only receive a very light punishment (a slap on the wrist) instead of the stronger punishment that’s deserved.
- Bill was speeding but got off with a smaller fine because he pled guilty.
- They didn’t get any jail time? They’re getting off with a fine and community service?!?
- If you admit guilt and express remorse, you may get off with a lighter sentence.
We get a lot out of travel.
To get X out of Y means to have X benefit from Y.
- I’m getting a lot of great experience out of my new job.
- I don’t understand why you’re friends with him. He’s awful. What do you get out of the relationship?
- Don doesn’t do anything unless he thinks he can get something out of it.
Let’s get it over with!
If you get over with something (usually it or this), you bring something tedious, boring, or difficult to a close. Usually the direct object of this phrasal verb is a pronoun, it or this, but it’s possible to use a full noun.
- This movie is terrible. Let’s just get it over with and go home.
- This restaurant is awful. Let’s get over with our meal and leave.
- Okay, let’s get this over with. The sooner we start, the sooner we can stop.
It’s so easy to get over on him.
If you get over on someone, you trick or deceive them, or you take advantage of them.
- Frank is so gullible, it’s really easy to get over on him.
- Don’t believe her story. She’s trying to get over on you.
- Sometimes you have to trust people. Not everyone is trying to get over on you.
I can’t get through to them.
To get through to someone can mean, literally, to successfully reach someone by telephone. It also has a more figurative meaning, to successfully communicate something or make someone understand something.
- There’s no cell phone service right now, so I can’t get through to anyone.
- I tried to call the restaurant several times, but I haven’t gotten through to them yet.
- The students are finally beginning to understand. I think I’m getting through to them!
He really gets off on this.
To get off on something means to become excited about it, or to take pleasure from it. Typically the thing is strange, or at least something you wouldn’t expect a person to find enjoyable. And be careful; this phrasal verb also has a sexual meaning; to get off on a kink or a fetish means to derive sexual pleasure from something strange or unique. The general use isn’t sexual, but if you get off on something, it sounds like you find something strange
- My boss gets off on firing people. He seems to really enjoy it.
- You’re always judging people. You really get off on it!
- My neighbor is always walking around naked in front of the window. I think he may get off on it!
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