get on

verb

got on; got on or gotten on; getting on; gets on

intransitive verb

1

: get along

was getting on in years

got on well with the boss

get on with the game

2

: to gain knowledge or understanding

got on to the racket

transitive verb

1

: to produce an unfortunate effect on : upset

the noise got on my nerves

2

: to criticize insistently

the fans got on him for losing the game

Synonyms of get on

• cope
• do
• get by
• get along
• make do
• make ends meet

Examples of get on in a Sentence

despite his new job's low pay, he was still getting on

find out how the marketing department is getting on with the new ad campaign

Recent Examples on the Web

The move came as Florida candidates faced a deadline to get on the midterm ballot. —South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026

There are few things in this world more sanctimonious and hypocritical than left-wing sportswriters getting on their faux moral high horse. —Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026

It’s widely considered rude and annoying when people cluster by the train doors if there are more people on the platform attempting to get on. —Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2026

Robson and James got on really well, and that on-screen chemistry was their friendship. —Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for get on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

get on

verb

1

: get along sense 3

they got on well

2

: to start dealing with

I'll get on it right away

3

: to criticize (someone) repeatedly

4

: to grow old