get at

phrase

1

: to reach effectively

The valve is hard to get at unless you have a special tool.

2

: to influence corruptly : bribe

3

: to turn one's attention to

The committee finally got at the main issue.

4

: to try to prove or make clear

I don't understand what he's getting at.

Examples of get at in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bob Chesney consistently told reporters that the Bruins were going to need all three running backs throughout the season and that showed Saturday night, with each back getting at least a dozen plays. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Every player, except for one, got at least a slight pop from the fans when their names appeared on the video board. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

That doesn’t mean their command is bad, so Open Command is probably doing a better job of getting at the underlying skill in question. — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

This aligns with the general recommendations to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for get at

• begat
• bobcat
• chitchat
• doormat
• ducat
• eclat
• format
• hazmat
• muskrat
• nonfat
• polecat
• thereat