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

Everyone knows that Isaiah Evans can get on a heater. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2026

Co-workers get on each other’s nerves all the time. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026

Texas got on the board early with a pair of RBI singles in the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. —Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026

There will also be storytelling and dance-alongs, where kids can explore a life-sized Fairy Garden and Gnome Village, race Barky Boats and get on Bluey’s helicopter stump for a pretend ride on the upper and lower grounds of the venue. —Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 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