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

Absorb the basics, Emanuel seems to be saying, and then get on with your life. — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Still, some experts say the lack of awareness may delay some eligible adults from taking advantage of the new coverage and getting on the treatments immediately. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 28 June 2026

It zips in the front like my favorite wetsuit, requiring little gymnastics to get on, and provides ample sun coverage for long paddles on the water. — Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 28 June 2026

Midway through the first half, Marko Arnautovic got on the end of a long ball before nicking it past onrushing goalkeeper Oussama Benbot. — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 28 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