Here is the conversation you provided:

More phrasal verbs with get

Gerry: How do you manage to survive without a job? Kimberly: I can’t get over how she manages to get away with doing so little work. It’s obvious to everyone, but the boss never seems to notice.

Gerry: Oh, I get by with a bit of help from my parents. [have just enough money to pay for the things I need, but nothing more]

Lauren: The problem is that the regulations don’t allow us to use next year’s budget. Juliet: Oh, don’t worry. We’ll get around/round it somehow. [find a way of dealing with or avoiding a problem]

Yanis: Have you rung the travel agent’s yet to confirm our bookings? Ronan: Sorry, I haven’t got around/round to it yet, but I’ll do it after lunch, I promise. [do something that you have intended to do for a long time]

Polly: I really think you ought to apologise to you-know-who about you-know-what. Ivan: I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re getting at. Who? What? [If you ask someone what they are getting at, you are asking them what they mean, usually because they have said something indirectly]

Ellen: Do you think I can get away with not using any handouts in my lecture? [do something successfully even though it is not the best way of doing it] Lou: Yes, the students just throw them away anyway.


Explanation of Phrasal Verbs with 'Get' in the Conversation


The verb "get" is incredibly versatile in English and forms many common phrasal verbs, which are combinations of "get" with a preposition or adverb that change its meaning. Here's a breakdown of the 'get' phrasal verbs from the conversation you provided:

  1. get over (something)

    • Meaning: To be very surprised or shocked that something has happened or is true. It implies an inability to fully comprehend or recover from the surprise/shock.

    • Example from conversation: "I can’t get over how she manages to get away with doing so little work." (Kimberly is shocked by how little work the person does without consequences.)

  2. get away with (something/doing something)

    • Meaning: To succeed in not being criticized or punished for something wrong that you have done. It means to avoid the deserved consequences.

    • Example from conversation: "I can’t get over how she manages to get away with doing so little work." (She is not being punished for doing minimal work.)

    • Example from conversation: "Do you think I can get away with not using any handouts in my lecture?" (Ellen is asking if she can avoid negative consequences or criticism for not using handouts.)

  3. get by (with something)

    • Meaning: To have just enough money or resources to pay for the things you need, but nothing more. It implies surviving or managing with difficulty.

    • Example from conversation: "Oh, I get by with a bit of help from my parents." (Gerry has just enough money to manage, thanks to parental support.)

  4. get around/round (something)

    • Meaning: To find a way of dealing with or avoiding a problem, especially a rule or restriction.

    • Example from conversation: "Oh, don’t worry. We’ll get around/round it somehow." (Juliet is confident they will find a solution to the budget regulation problem.)

  5. get around/round to (doing something)

    • Meaning: To do something that you have intended to do for a long time but haven't found the time or opportunity for.

    • Example from conversation: "Sorry, I haven’t got around/round to it yet, but I’ll do it after lunch, I promise." (Ronan intends to confirm the bookings but hasn't done it yet.)

  6. get at (something)

    • Meaning: When you ask someone what they are "getting at," you are asking them what they mean, especially if they have said something indirectly or implied something.

    • Example from conversation: "I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re getting at." (Ivan is asking Polly to explain her indirect comments more clearly.)

These examples demonstrate how 'get' combines with different prepositions to express a wide range of meanings, from surprise and avoidance to managing financial situations and dealing with problems. Understanding these combinations is key to comprehending and using natural English effectively.


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