get on
phrasal verb·6 senses·particle on
Meanings
Board a bus, train or plane
Why “on”? Something touches, grips, or sticks to a surface.
“Get on the bus before it leaves.”
“Tourists got on the ferry at the harbour.”
“Passengers were getting on at every stop.”
Have a good relationship
Why “on”? Sliding forward along the surface. Motion that keeps going on and on.
“They get on very well together.”
“My sisters get on well now.”
“The new puppy gets on great with the cat.”
Make progress with a task
“How are you getting on with that project?”
“How are you getting on with the kitchen?”
“We need to get on with the painting before lunch.”
Manage to dress yourself in
Why “on”? Clothing makes contact with the body. Putting it on covers the surface.
“It took ages to get my wetsuit on.”
“Can you get this helmet on by yourself?”
Be growing old
“He's getting on a bit now.”
“Grandpa is getting on, so he walks more slowly.”
Continue with a task without delay
“Let me get on with my work.”
“Let the class get on with the test.”
Don't confuse with
Get on means board a bus, train or plane. Get in means enter a car or building.
Test yourself
“Get on the bus before it leaves.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
get in
A contrast learners often mix up
Enter a car or building; Arrive at a destination; Be accepted to a school or team; Buy a supply of something; Win an election
bring on
Same on pattern: continuation
Cause something, especially an illness or feeling, to start; Help someone or something develop or improve
call on
Same on pattern: continuation
Ask someone to do something formally
carry on
Same on pattern: continuation
Continue doing something; Behave in a silly, loud or annoying way; Have a romantic affair, often secretly
catch on
Same on pattern: continuation
Become popular or fashionable; Begin to understand something
come on
Same on pattern: continuation
Used to encourage, hurry or challenge someone; Begin to develop, especially an illness or weather; Start working or be turned on; Make progress or improve; Try to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone; Be broadcast on television or radio
crack on
Same on pattern: continuation
Continue working hard, often after a break
drag on
Same on pattern: continuation
Continue for too long in a tedious way
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “get on”.
Practice “get on” in Sink In
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