Lecture: Phrasal Verbs with "Get" - Navigating Everyday English


Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to dive into the fascinating world of phrasal verbs, specifically those built around the versatile verb "get." Phrasal verbs can sometimes seem tricky because their meaning isn't always obvious from the individual words, but they are absolutely essential for sounding natural and fluent in English.

By the end of this lecture, you'll have a much clearer understanding of several common "get" phrasal verbs and how to use them confidently in your conversations.

Let's start!


1. "Get together" (often + with)


  • Meaning: This means for two or more people to meet in order to do something or simply spend time together. It suggests a planned or informal gathering.

  • Example: "It’s nice to get together with people you get on with." (Notice the clever use of another phrasal verb in this example, which we'll discuss next!)

  • Think of it as: Socializing, meeting up.

  • Usage Tip: You can "get together for coffee," "get together for a meeting," or just "get together to chat."


2. "Get on" (often + with) - Part 1: Relationships


  • Meaning: When two or more people "get on," it means they like each other and are friendly to each other. It describes a good relationship.

  • Example: From our previous example, "It’s nice to get together with people you get on with." This perfectly illustrates a positive relationship.

  • Think of it as: Having a good rapport, being friendly.

  • Usage Tip: You might ask, "Do you get on with your new colleagues?" or say, "My brother and I really get on well."


3. "Get on" (often + with) - Part 2: Progress/Continuation


  • Meaning: This is a different meaning of "get on" and it refers to continuing to do something, especially work. It's about making progress.

  • Example: "I must get on with my work." This implies you have tasks to do and you need to continue working on them.

  • Think of it as: To continue, to make progress, to focus on a task.

  • Usage Tip: You might say, "It's time to get on with our presentation." or "I need to get on with preparing dinner."


4. "Get behind" (often + with)


  • Meaning: If you "get behind with" work or payments, it means you haven't done as much work or paid as much as you should have by a particular time. You are falling behind schedule.

  • Example: "I got behind because I spent too much time on the Internet." This is a common and relatable reason for falling behind!

  • Think of it as: To fall behind schedule, to be late with something.

  • Usage Tip: "I've gotten behind with my assignments." or "If you don't pay attention, you'll get behind in class."


5. "Get something over with"


  • Meaning: This means to do and complete something difficult or unpleasant that absolutely must be done. It often implies a desire to finish it quickly so you don't have to think about it anymore.

  • Example: "Let’s get this meeting over with, or else we'll never get away before the rush hour and it will take ages to get home." This shows a clear desire to finish an unavoidable task.

  • Think of it as: To finish an unpleasant task, to get it done and out of the way.

  • Usage Tip: "I have to have a difficult conversation with my boss, I just want to get it over with." or "Let's get this presentation over with so we can relax."


6. "Get away"


  • Meaning: To leave a place or person, often when the situation makes it difficult for you to do so. It can imply an escape or simply departing.

  • Example: From our previous example: "Let’s get this meeting over with, or else we'll never get away before the rush hour..." Here, "get away" means to leave the office.

  • Think of it as: To escape, to leave, to depart.

  • Usage Tip: "I managed to get away from work early today." or "We need to get away for a holiday soon."


7. "Can't/couldn't get over something"


  • Meaning: This phrase is used when you are very surprised or shocked that something has happened or that something is true. It implies a strong emotional reaction that you can't quite process or accept.

  • Example: From the dialogue: "I can’t get over how she manages to get away with doing so little work." The speaker is expressing extreme surprise and disbelief.

  • Think of it as: To be extremely surprised/shocked, to be unable to believe.

  • Usage Tip: "I can't get over how much she's grown!" or "He couldn't get over the beauty of the scenery."


8. "Get away with something/doing something"


  • Meaning: This means to succeed in not being criticized or punished for something wrong that you have done. It implies avoiding consequences.

  • Example: From the dialogue: "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." This highlights the person avoiding punishment for their lack of effort.

  • Think of it as: To escape punishment, to avoid consequences, to do something bad and not be caught.

  • Usage Tip: "He cheated on the exam and got away with it." or "You won't get away with lying to me."


Conclusion


As you can see, "get" is a incredibly flexible verb that forms many common and useful phrasal verbs. While they might seem daunting at first, breaking them down by their meanings and seeing them in context makes them much easier to understand and use.

Remember, the best way to master phrasal verbs is to practice using them! Try incorporating these into your speaking and writing this week.

Thank you. Are there any questions?


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