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

Chris gets on her lap and starts grinding, eventually turning around, putting his feet on either side of her head and twerking right in the birthday girl’s face. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025

Defensively, the Ravens allowed Rodgers and the Steelers’ downfield passing attack, which has been dormant for weeks, to get on track. —Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2025

Running its Flexbone offense, Friends (12-1) got on the board before halftime thanks to senior quarterback K’Vonte Baker’s 35-yard scoring pass to senior receiver Austin Pratt. —Kc Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Dec. 2025

Waymo did not comment on its response to the Austin school district's request to suspend service when students are getting on and off buses. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025

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