The verb get is one of the most flexible words in English—and when combined with different particles, it forms dozens of useful phrasal verbs. From get up in the morning to get over a setback, these expressions are everywhere in everyday conversation.
In this guide, you’ll learn the most common phrasal verbs with get, their meanings, and how to use them in sentences. Whether you’re a learner aiming to improve your speaking skills or just want to understand native speakers better, this list will help you build confidence with natural English.
List of Common Phrasal Verbs with Get
Get up
Meaning: To rise from bed or a resting position.
Examples:
- I usually get up before sunrise to walk my dog.
- He didn’t want to get up, so he hit snooze three times.
Get on
Meaning: To enter a bus, train, plane, or to have a good relationship.
Examples:
- We got on the metro just before the doors closed.
- My sister and I get on much better now that we live apart.
Get off
Meaning: To leave a bus, train, bike, or to stop work.
Examples:
- She got off the bus two stops early by mistake.
- I usually get off work around 6 p.m.
Get in
Meaning: To enter a car or arrive at a place.
Examples:
- He got in the taxi and gave the driver his address.
- What time did you get in last night?
Get out
Meaning: To leave a car, building, or situation.
Examples:
- She got out of the car and rushed into the school.
- I needed to get out of that noisy restaurant.
Get over
Meaning: To recover from an illness, setback, or emotional difficulty.
Examples:
- It took me weeks to get over that cold.
- He’s still trying to get over losing his job.
Get back
Meaning: To return to a place or regain something.
Examples:
- We got back from the trip late last night.
- I hope to get back my lost phone from the taxi service.
Get by
Meaning: To manage with limited resources, often money or time.
Examples:
- Even on a tight budget, they get by just fine.
- I didn’t study much, but I managed to get by on the test.
Get ahead
Meaning: To progress or succeed, especially in a career or goal.
Examples:
- She’s always looking for ways to get ahead at work.
- You can’t get ahead if you avoid challenges.
Get through
Meaning: To complete something difficult or to reach someone (phone).
Examples:
- He finally got through the final round of interviews.
- I tried calling you, but I couldn’t get through.
Get along
Meaning: To have a good relationship with someone.
Examples:
- The new roommates get along surprisingly well.
- Do you get along with your manager?
Get across
Meaning: To communicate an idea clearly.
Examples:
- He used examples to get his point across.
- Her main message didn’t get across to the audience.
Get away
Meaning: To escape or take a short vacation.
Examples:
- They’re planning to get away for the weekend.
- The thief got away before the police arrived.
Get down
Meaning: To lower oneself physically or feel sad/depressed.
Examples:
- He got down on one knee to tie his shoe.
- The gloomy weather is starting to get me down.
Get around
Meaning: To travel or move from place to place, or to avoid something.
Examples:
- In big cities, bikes are a great way to get around.
- She found a clever way to get around the policy.
Get together
Meaning: To meet socially or for a purpose.
Examples:
- Let’s get together this weekend for lunch.
- The team got together to review the final plan.
Get at
Meaning: To imply or suggest something indirectly.
Examples:
- What exactly are you getting at with that comment?
- I think he’s getting at the need for a new plan.
Get ahead of
Meaning: To outpace or progress faster than others.
Examples:
- She studied every night to get ahead of the class.
- We left early to get ahead of traffic.
Get rid of
Meaning: To remove, discard, or eliminate something.
Examples:
- It’s time to get rid of these old clothes.
- We need to get rid of that broken chair.
Get used to
Meaning: To become comfortable with something unfamiliar.
Examples:
- I finally got used to waking up early.
- It took time, but she got used to driving on the left side.
Tips to Use “Get” Phrasal Verbs in Conversation
Learning phrasal verbs is one thing—using them naturally in conversation is another. Here are some simple strategies to help you sound more fluent and confident when using phrasal verbs with get.
1. Focus on everyday situations
Many get phrasal verbs describe routine actions like waking up, going out, or returning home. Practice using them in daily conversations to build comfort and fluency.
Example:
Instead of saying “I exited the bus,” say “I got off the bus.”
2. Learn them in chunks
Don’t just memorize the verb—learn the full phrase with a common sentence pattern. This helps you recall the phrasal verb quickly when speaking.
Example:
“I get along with…”
“She got over the…”
“We got back from…”
3. Listen for them in natural speech
Watch TV shows, listen to podcasts, or pay attention to real conversations. Native speakers use get phrasal verbs often—and hearing them used in context makes them easier to understand and remember.
4. Use them in your own examples
Practice by creating short sentences or mini-dialogues using different get phrasal verbs. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll feel.
Practice Sentences with Phrasal Verbs Using Get
- I usually get up before the sun to enjoy some quiet time.
- They got on the wrong train and ended up in the next city.
- What time do you get off work on Fridays?
- She got in just as the movie was starting.
- We got out of the building before the alarm went off.
- It took me a while to get over that rejection.
- I’ll get back to you as soon as I check the schedule.
- Even with low income, they manage to get by comfortably.
- He worked extra hours to get ahead in his career.
- I finally got through to customer service after waiting 20 minutes.
- The kids get along really well at summer camp.
- Her message didn’t really get across during the meeting.
- We’re hoping to get away for a quick holiday next month.
- That song always gets me down—it’s so sad.
- Buses are the easiest way to get around this area.
- Let’s get together for coffee this weekend.
- What are you getting at? Just say it directly.
- She studied hard to get ahead of the rest of the class.
- It’s time to get rid of that broken lamp.
- I needed a week to get used to the new routine.
Separable Phrasal Verbs with Get
Some get phrasal verbs let you put the object between get and the second word. This is called “separable.” You can use either a noun or a pronoun, but pronouns (like it or them) must go in the middle.
Common Separable Phrasal Verbs with Get:
- get back (to return something)
- get across (to communicate an idea)
- get down (to lower something or someone)
- get off (to remove something or yourself)
- get out (to remove something or leave a place)
Examples:
- ✔ She got back her book.
- ✔ She got her book back.
- ✔ She got it back.
- ❌ She got back it.
- ✔ He got the idea across.
- ✔ He got it across.
- ❌ He got across it.
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs with Get
Some phrasal verbs with get cannot be separated. The verb and second word must stay together. The object (if any) always comes after the full phrase.
Common Inseparable Phrasal Verbs with Get:
- get up (to rise)
- get on (to board or get along)
- get in (to enter or arrive)
- get over (to recover)
- get by (to manage or survive)
- get ahead (to progress)
- get through (to finish or connect)
- get along (to have a good relationship)
- get away (to escape or take a break)
Examples:
- ✔ I got on the train.
- ❌ I got the train on.
- ✔ She got over the cold quickly.
- ❌ She got the cold over.
- ✔ They got through the exam with no trouble.
- ❌ They got the exam through.
FAQs
What are phrasal verbs with “get”?
Phrasal verbs with get are expressions that combine the verb get with a preposition or adverb (like up, over, or in) to create a new meaning. For example, get over means to recover, and get in means to enter.
How many phrasal verbs are there with “get”?
There are dozens, but about 20–30 are commonly used in everyday English. This article covers 20 of the most useful ones with meanings and examples.
How do I know if a “get” phrasal verb is separable or not?
Try placing a pronoun between get and the second word. If it sounds correct (e.g., get it back), it’s separable. If it sounds wrong (get it on), it’s inseparable. You can also refer to the two lists in this article for guidance.
Are phrasal verbs with “get” formal or informal?
Most get phrasal verbs are informal and used in conversation or casual writing. In formal contexts, they’re often replaced with more direct verbs. For example, get in might become arrive, and get rid of might become eliminate.
Can I use phrasal verbs with “get” in writing?
Yes—but it depends on the tone. They work well in informal writing, dialogue, emails, and storytelling. In academic or business writing, consider whether a more formal alternative would be better.