get
get — verb
1. to receive something, such as money, goods, or a result, by paying for it, worki
to receive something, such as money, goods, or a result, by paying for it, working for it, or being given it
Eli got a new bicycle from his parents for his birthday.
get + direct object for receiving
Stephanie got a part-time job at the local bookstore after school.
What did you get for your mother on Mother's Day?
The team got three points for winning the match.
Owen got a fair price when he sold his old laptop online.
文法句型
get + noun phrase
用法筆記
To get can replace obtain, buy, earn, or receive in everyday speech that is not highly formal. Teachers and business writing often prefer the more specific verb.
常見錯誤
2. to be given something by someone, such as a gift, a grade, an award, or a punish
to be given something by someone, such as a gift, a grade, an award, or a punishment, without actively working to obtain it
Lan got a lovely card from her aunt in Japan this morning.
get + card + from + someone
Joshua got a grade A on his science exam.
get + grade/score + on + exam
The driver got a parking ticket for leaving his car in the wrong spot.
Ayesha got a beautiful scarf from her grandmother for Lunar New Year.
Nellie got a fifteen-euro fine for riding her bike without lights at night.
文法句型
get + noun phrase
get + noun phrase + noun phrase
用法筆記
The giver is usually stated in a from-phrase. When the item received is a punishment, the verb often carries a passive tone: 'The thief got six months.'
常見錯誤
3. to go somewhere in order to come back carrying a person or an item that you or s
to go somewhere in order to come back carrying a person or an item that you or someone else needs
Can you get me a glass of water from the kitchen?
get + someone + something — ask and bring
Dewi got her little brother from school at three o'clock.
The dog ran to get the stick that Ziad had thrown into the lake.
I'll get the mail from the mailbox before the rain starts.
文法句型
get + noun phrase
get + someone + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common in everyday requests ('get me a chair') where fetch would sound too literary. The indirect object (the person who will receive the item) comes before the direct object.
常見錯誤
4. to take hold of a person or animal after chasing, searching, or using force
to take hold of a person or animal after chasing, searching, or using force
The police got the thief after a brief chase through the park.
get + criminal — capture after pursuit
Élise's cat got a mouse in the garden last night.
The guard dogs got the intruder before he could climb over the fence.
The soldiers were ordered to get the enemy leader alive.
文法句型
get + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with catch but emphasises the effort or force used to obtain control. Common in news reports about police work ('Police got the suspect near the river.').
常見錯誤
5. to make it to a specific place after moving from somewhere else
to make it to a specific place after moving from somewhere else
What time did you get home last night?
get home — adverb of place without 'to'
Vinícius got to the airport just ten minutes before his flight.
The bus gets to Taipei Main Station at around half past eight.
We finally got to the campsite after a long and bumpy ride.
- leave
to go away from a place
文法句型
get + adverb/preposition (home, there, to a place)
用法筆記
With the adverbs home, here, there, and downstairs, no preposition is used: 'get home' (NOT 'get to home'). With named places, use get + to: 'get to the station'.
常見錯誤
❌ 'When did you get there?' (correct) — This form is correct. Common error is 'When did you get to there?' — Never use 'to' before 'here', 'there', 'home', or 'downstairs'.
6. to make it to a certain stage in time, age, or progress, often step by step — fo
to make it to a certain stage in time, age, or progress, often step by step — for example, getting to page fifty, getting old, or it getting dark before you arrive home
The sky was getting dark, so Mei-Lin turned on the porch light for safety.
get + adjective — reach a state
The student got to page fifty before stopping to eat dinner.
The nights are getting colder, so I dug out my winter blankets from the cupboard.
The project got to a stage where everyone felt confident about the result.
Padma got to chapter twelve of the novel before her eyes grew too tired to read.
文法句型
get + to + noun phrase (stage/point/age)
用法筆記
Often followed by an adjective (get dark, get late, get old) or by to + noun (get to page fifty, get to the point where). The adjective form is highly productive in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
7. to advance through a task, problem, or activity, making your way toward completi
to advance through a task, problem, or activity, making your way toward completion — for example, getting through a difficult exam, or getting past an obstacle at work
Tanvi got through her final exams even though she was very nervous.
get through + noun phrase (task)
Dylan worked every evening and finally got to the last chapter of his novel.
Hao tried many times but could not get past the first round of auditions.
The project is difficult, but we are finally getting somewhere with the new design.
Eli got halfway up the mountain before the weather turned too dangerous.
文法句型
get + adverb/preposition (through, past, somewhere)
用法筆記
Commonly used with prepositions like 'through', 'past', 'to', or adverbs of progress like 'somewhere' and 'anywhere'. In questions and negatives, 'anywhere' is more common than 'somewhere'.
常見錯誤
8. to catch or begin to suffer from an illness or medical problem — for example, ge
to catch or begin to suffer from an illness or medical problem — for example, getting a cold, a headache, or food poisoning from something you ate
Yasmin got the flu last winter and stayed in bed for a whole week.
get + the flu (common illness noun)
If you get a cold, drink plenty of water and rest as much as possible.
The whole Watanabe family got sick after eating at that seafood restaurant.
Tanvi got a terrible headache from staring at her computer screen all day.
Children often get infections when they first start going to nursery school.
- recover from
to get better after being ill
文法句型
get + illness noun
用法筆記
This is an informal but very common alternative to 'catch' or 'contract'. 'Get' is preferred in everyday conversation, while 'contract' is clinical and 'catch' is neutral. The definite article is optional with specific illnesses: 'get flu' and 'get the flu' are both used in British English, while American English prefers 'get the flu'.
常見錯誤
9. to enter a new state or condition, usually gradually — for example, getting angr
to enter a new state or condition, usually gradually — for example, getting angry when someone is unfair, or getting dark as the sun goes down
Caleb got very quiet when the teacher asked about the missing homework.
get + adjective (quiet) describing change of state in a named person
Eli got really angry when he saw that someone had scratched his new car.
get + adjective expressing emotion (angry)
Roya is getting much better at playing the violin after months of daily practice.
The weather is getting colder, so I need to buy a warmer coat this weekend.
Constanza got tired of waiting for the bus and decided to walk home instead.
- remain
to stay the same instead of changing
文法句型
get + adjective
get + comparative adjective
用法筆記
This is a linking verb (copular verb) that behaves like 'become'. It is followed by an adjective or a past participle used as an adjective. Common patterns include 'get + adjective' (get hungry, get old), 'get + comparative' (get better, get worse), and 'get + past participle' (get lost, get dressed).
常見錯誤
10. to begin moving away from a place or start an activity, especially after a perio
to begin moving away from a place or start an activity, especially after a period of delay — for example, getting going on a road trip, or getting out of the house in the morning
We need to get going now, or we will definitely miss the last train home.
get going (fixed phrase for starting departure)
The children got up from the table and ran outside to play in the yard.
get up from + noun phrase
Hao told his friend they should get moving before the traffic got even worse.
Come on, get out of bed — the sun has been up for hours already.
Yasmin got herself ready and left the house at exactly seven thirty in the morning.
文法句型
get + participle (going, moving)
get + adverb (out, up)
用法筆記
Highly common in the imperative form ('Get going!', 'Get out!') and as a phrasal pair ('get going', 'get moving'). The sense is similar to 'start' or 'leave' but more informal and dynamic. 'Get going' can also mean 'to make progress' (overlapping with sense 7), but the context of departure or immediate action distinguishes this sense.
常見錯誤
11. to arrange for something to be done by someone else, or to bring a person or thi
to arrange for something to be done by someone else, or to bring a person or thing into a specific condition — for example, getting a car repaired at a garage, or getting dinner ready for guests
Nellie got her car repaired at the small garage just around the corner.
get + object + past participle (repaired)
Dylan finally got his old computer working after restarting it three times.
get + object + -ing (working)
Shirin got her hair cut short for the summer and loved the new style.
The manager got the entire team together for a quick fifteen-minute meeting.
Tuan got his phone fixed at a shop for a very reasonable price.
文法句型
get + object + past participle
get + object + adjective
get + object + -ing
用法筆記
This is a causative structure similar to 'have something done'. Unlike 'make' or 'force', the emphasis is on arranging or causing the result, not compelling someone. The past participle pattern ('get it done') is the most common and is neutral in register.
常見錯誤
12. to persuade or ask a person to act in a certain way, by talking to them or influ
to persuade or ask a person to act in a certain way, by talking to them or influencing them — for example, getting a friend to help you move furniture, or getting a child to finish their vegetables
Sirin got her younger brother to help her carry the heavy boxes upstairs.
get + person + to-infinitive
The substitute teacher could not get the students to pay attention at all.
Tanvi got her parents to agree to let her study abroad for a whole year.
Eli got the shop assistant to show him a cheaper model of the same phone.
Élise got her neighbour to water the plants while she was away on holiday.
- discourage
to persuade someone not to do something
- dissuade
formal; to convince someone against a course of action
文法句型
get + person + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 11: sense 12 uses 'get + someone + to do' (persuasion), while sense 11 uses 'get + something + done' (arranging a service). For example, 'I got him to wash the car' means I persuaded him; 'I got the car washed' means I arranged it. This sense is less forceful than 'make' and more informal than 'persuade'.
常見錯誤
13. to accidentally cause something to happen to someone or something, usually resul
to accidentally cause something to happen to someone or something, usually resulting in damage or an unwanted outcome — for example, getting your phone screen cracked after dropping it, or getting your keys locked inside the car
Eve got her phone screen cracked when she dropped it on the pavement.
get + object + past participle for accidental result
The gardener got his tools stolen after leaving the shed unlocked.
Devika got her dress stained with red wine at the party.
Rachid got his hand caught in the car door by accident.
Shirin got her laptop ruined when rain poured through the open window.
- have
neutral alternative (e.g. 'had my wallet stolen')
文法句型
get + object + past participle
用法筆記
Object is the person or thing that experiences the action. The past participle after the object describes what happens to it. This pattern is especially common for accidents or mishaps.
常見錯誤
14. used with a past participle to show that an action happens to someone or somethi
used with a past participle to show that an action happens to someone or something — like the passive 'be' but more common in everyday spoken English; for example, getting paid, getting promoted, or getting caught in the rain
Paul got promoted to senior manager after just two years with the company.
get + past participle as passive alternative
The concert tickets got sold out within an hour of going on sale.
Feng got invited to the wedding but could not attend because he was travelling.
Aiko got sent to the principal's office for drawing on the classroom wall.
The old hospital got knocked down last year to make way for new flats.
- be
more formal and neutral; can describe states, not just events
文法句型
get + past participle (passive)
用法筆記
More frequent in informal spoken English than 'be'. Often describes a specific event or change, not a general state. Compare: 'The window was broken' (state) vs 'The window got broken' (event).
常見錯誤
15. to move yourself or an object from one spot to another, often with effort or car
to move yourself or an object from one spot to another, often with effort or care — for example, getting out of a crowded room, climbing onto a high shelf, or crawling under a table during an earthquake
Get out of the way — the ambulance needs to pass through.
imperative + adverb of direction
Indra got onto the roof by climbing the old oak tree at the back.
Ramón got under the desk when the earthquake shook the building.
The cat got through the narrow gap in the fence without any trouble.
Mathieu got down from the ladder carefully with a paintbrush in his hand.
文法句型
get + adverb/preposition of direction
用法筆記
Nearly always followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase that indicates direction (out, in, up, down, onto, under, through, etc.). Without such a phrase, the meaning can be unclear.
常見錯誤
16. to travel somewhere by using a bus, train, plane, taxi, or other form of transpo
to travel somewhere by using a bus, train, plane, taxi, or other form of transport — for example, getting the number 5 bus to school, or getting a taxi home after a party.
Ava usually gets the number 42 bus to school every morning.
get + [bus number/type]
We got a taxi from the airport because the trains had stopped running.
Ilan gets the train to work whenever his car is being repaired.
Instead of driving across the city, they got the ferry to the island.
You can get a direct flight from Taipei to Tokyo for under three hundred dollars.
文法句型
get + vehicle
用法筆記
The vehicle is treated as the direct object. To describe the means of travel in a different structure, use 'by' + vehicle (e.g. 'travel by bus'). This sense does not use the progressive form ('getting the bus' is rare).
常見錯誤
17. to answer a phone, door, or doorbell when someone calls or arrives — for example
to answer a phone, door, or doorbell when someone calls or arrives — for example, saying 'I'll get it' when the phone rings
Can someone please get the phone? It has been ringing for the past five minutes.
get the phone = answer the phone
Christopher got the door and found a delivery man holding a large cardboard box.
The receptionist will get the calls while the manager is away at the conference.
Rachid got the door and found a delivery driver holding a large package for his neighbour.
If the phone rings while I shower, do not bother to get it.
文法句型
get + object (the phone / the door)
用法筆記
Always transitive. The object is typically 'the phone', 'the door', or 'the doorbell'. No passive form exists — 'the phone was got' is incorrect. Common in informal spoken commands.
常見錯誤
❌ 'I will get it by myself tomorrow.' (when meaning handle a task, not answer a call/door) — This sense is specifically for answering phones or doors, not for managing tasks in general.
18. to be in a situation where you are able to do something you have wanted or hoped
to be in a situation where you are able to do something you have wanted or hoped to do — for example, getting to meet a famous author, or getting to visit a country you have dreamed about
Feng got to meet the author after the book signing event at the library.
get to + infinitive = have the opportunity to
Eve finally got to visit Japan last summer during the school break.
The students got to use the new laboratory equipment for their chemistry experiment.
Devika got to work with a famous film director on her very first movie project.
Shirin got to try real Thai street food during her trip to Bangkok last month.
- be able to
more neutral; does not imply that the opportunity was desired
- be allowed to
emphasises permission rather than opportunity
- miss out on
to not have the opportunity
文法句型
get + to + infinitive
用法筆記
Only used in the pattern 'get to + infinitive'. No passive form. Often expresses that the opportunity was desired or welcome. The negative form 'did not get to' means the opportunity did not happen.
常見錯誤
19. to understand the meaning of what someone says, writes, or signals; or to be abl
to understand the meaning of what someone says, writes, or signals; or to be able to hear something clearly enough to make sense of it.
I did not get the joke until Sven explained it to me.
get + noun (joke) — understand meaning
Kemi got the main point of the lecture even though the microphone was poor.
get + noun phrase (main point) — grasp despite difficulty
Do you get what the instructions on this medicine bottle say?
Constanza got that her friend was upset from her tone of voice.
Saira could not get the caller's name because the line was crackling.
- understand
more formal; works in both spoken and written registers
- follow
emphasises keeping up with a sequence of reasoning
- catch
informal; often used for hearing ('I didn't catch your name')
- miss
fail to hear or understand ('I missed what you said')
文法句型
get + noun
get + wh-clause
get + that-clause
用法筆記
This sense is common in both informal and neutral registers. In questions, 'Do/Does you get it?' is a simple way to check comprehension.
常見錯誤
20. to make a meal or food ready to be eaten, especially by cooking, arranging, or s
to make a meal or food ready to be eaten, especially by cooking, arranging, or serving it.
Lakshmi got dinner ready before her guests arrived at seven.
get + [meal] + ready — prepare something
Can you get the vegetables chopped while I heat the pan?
get + noun + past participle — cause to become prepared
Anong gets breakfast for her younger brother before school each morning.
Théo will get some sandwiches for the picnic this afternoon.
文法句型
get + noun + ready
get + noun for + person
21. to cover the cost of a purchase, especially as a friendly gesture when you offer
to cover the cost of a purchase, especially as a friendly gesture when you offer to treat someone or handle what you owe.
Let me get the coffee — you paid for lunch yesterday.
get + [item] — offer to pay for it
Cyrus got the bill before anyone else could reach for their wallet.
get + the bill — take responsibility for paying
If you get dinner tonight, I will get the movie tickets.
Felipe got the tickets for the concert using his credit card.
Élise offered to get the drinks while Felipe got the main course.
- cover
slightly more formal ('I'll cover the bill')
- treat someone to
emphasises that it is a gift ('Let me treat you to dinner')
文法句型
get + [item]
get + the bill/check
用法筆記
Common in informal spoken English. In a restaurant or bar, 'I'll get this' or 'Let me get that' is a standard offer to pay. More formal alternatives are 'I'll cover it' or 'It's on me.'
常見錯誤
22. to confuse or puzzle someone so much that they cannot understand a situation or
to confuse or puzzle someone so much that they cannot understand a situation or figure out what to do — for example, a complicated map that makes you feel lost, or a hard question that leaves a teacher speechless
The complicated subway map got Sivan completely lost on her first day in Tokyo.
get + [someone] + [adjective] — cause to become confused
The complicated tax form got Amani so confused that she had to call an accountant.
get + [someone] + so + adjective — cause extreme confusion
The final riddle in the escape room got everyone, and they ran out of time.
This physics concept gets me every time I try to study it.
Hyun's question got the teacher for a moment before she found the answer.
- clarify
make something clear so that confusion disappears
文法句型
get + [someone]
get + [someone] + [result]
23. to be unable to answer a question or name something, often used in the fixed exp
to be unable to answer a question or name something, often used in the fixed expression 'you have got me there' — for example, when a quiz question stumps you, or someone asks you something you simply do not know
"What is the capital of Mongolia?" "You have got me there — I have no idea."
you have got me there — fixed phrase for 'I don't know'
Noor asked Ada the name of that actor, and it got her — she could not recall it.
it got + [someone] — be unable to answer
"Do you know how to fix this leak?" "That has got me — you will need a plumber."
The final trivia question got Liang, so his team finished in second place.
文法句型
have got + [someone] + there
that has got + [someone]
24. to annoy or irritate someone, especially when the cause builds up over time or h
to annoy or irritate someone, especially when the cause builds up over time or happens repeatedly.
The constant noise from the construction site finally got to William.
get to + [someone] — annoy after building up
What gets Pim is that his boss never admits when he has made a mistake.
what gets + [someone] is (that)… — structure for naming an irritation
Élise's younger brother kept borrowing her things without asking, and it started to get to her.
The way people talk loudly on their phones in public really gets Pim.
Lisa does not mind the rain, but the cold wind gets to her after a while.
- annoy
more neutral; less informal than 'get to'
- irritate
slightly more formal; suggests milder but persistent annoyance
- get on someone's nerves
informal; same register and intensity
文法句型
get to + [someone]
get + [someone]
25. to affect someone so deeply that they feel a strong emotion, often making them c
to affect someone so deeply that they feel a strong emotion, often making them cry — for example, a sad scene in a film or a moving piece of music that makes you tear up
That old war film gets Joon every time he watches it with his father.
get + person + adverbial (every time)
The final scene of the musical got Élise, and she sat crying through the applause.
get + person; emotional result described in context
The last scene of the play gets Joon's mother every time she watches it on video.
The documentary about the earthquake got Asher, who had to stop filming for a moment.
- leave cold
to fail to affect someone emotionally at all
文法句型
get + person
get + person + adverbial (e.g. every time)
用法筆記
Frequently used in the pattern 'it gets me' or '[something] gets [someone]'. Often appears with 'every time' and in descriptions of movies, songs, or emotional moments.
常見錯誤
26. to be hit by something thrown, fired, or kicked, often causing pain or damage —
to be hit by something thrown, fired, or kicked, often causing pain or damage — for example, a ball hitting you during a game, or a stone striking a car windscreen
A stray ball got Yasmin right in the back of the head during the game.
get + person + in + body part
Heather got hit in the arm by a piece of metal from the broken machine.
passive pattern: got hit + in + body part
A stone got the car windscreen and left a crack right across the glass.
A pebble got Nellie on the cheek when kids started throwing things in the park.
- miss
to fail to hit the target
文法句型
get + person + in/on + body part
get + object
用法筆記
Common in passive constructions ('got hit'). The preposition typically used is 'in' for soft areas (stomach, face) and 'on' for hard or exposed areas (head, cheek, arm). Often describes accidental impacts.
27. to successfully contact someone or receive a signal using a phone, radio, or com
to successfully contact someone or receive a signal using a phone, radio, or computer network — for example, calling someone after several failed attempts, or picking up a radio station in a remote area
Sari tried calling four times but could not get through to the hospital reception.
get through to + person/place (establish phone contact)
Shirin cannot get any radio stations up here since she lost the antenna.
get + station/broadcast (receive signal)
The rescue team finally got a signal on the satellite phone after hours of trying.
Christopher got through to his family on the landline just before the power went out.
- reach
broader; can mean contact by phone, email, or in person
- contact
more formal; works for any communication method
- connect with
emphasises successful two-way communication
- lose
when a signal or connection stops working
文法句型
get + signal/broadcast/station
get through to + person/place
用法筆記
The transitive use ('get a signal', 'get a station') focuses on receiving a broadcast or connection. The phrasal pattern 'get through to [someone]' emphasises the effort required to establish contact.
常見錯誤
get — noun
1. In tennis or a similar sport, a shot that successfully returns a ball that seeme
In tennis or a similar sport, a shot that successfully returns a ball that seemed too difficult for most players to reach.
Benjamin's diving get at the net surprised everyone in the stadium.
collocation: diving get / running get / cross-court get
With a quick backhand get, Pim kept the ball in play and won the rally.
The coach showed the young players how to make a proper get from the baseline.
Ife's amazing get during the final game brought the crowd to its feet.
Talia's desperate cross-court get in the tiebreak sent the ball just over the net.
文法句型
a [adjective] get
make a get
manage a get
用法筆記
Countable noun used mainly in tennis and racquet sports commentary. Often appears with descriptive adjectives (diving, running, backhand, cross-court) that indicate the type of movement required.