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

Synonyms

• cope
• do
• fare
• get along
• get by
• make out
• manage
• shift

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

Di Gregorio made superb saves from Mario Gila and Pedro before Renato Veiga somehow found a way to stop Boulaye Dia getting on the end of a Luca Pellegrini cross. —Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

This chimed with the player, who was keen for greater responsibility and to be the one getting on the end of chances inside the 18-yard box. —Mark Carey, New York Times, 12 May 2025

Daniel Palencia stepping up in high-leverage spots As the Cubs look for veteran reliever Ryan Pressly to get on track, those chances might come in lower-leverage spots, like in Friday’s loss. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025

But what is surprising is just how long people got on without this concept. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at 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