get down

verb

got down; got down or gotten down; getting down; gets down

transitive verb

1

: to manage to swallow

2

: to cause to be physically, mentally, or emotionally exhausted : depress

the weather was getting her down

3

: to commit to writing : describe

intransitive verb

1

: to alight especially from a vehicle : descend

2

: to give one's attention or consideration

—used with to

get down to business

3

a

: to perform music or dance effectively and infectiously

b

: to have a good time partying

Synonyms

• descend
• dismount
• light

Examples of get down in a Sentence

I was getting down from the seaplane when a gust of wind swept away my hat.

it's really getting him down that there does not seem to be one woman who will date him

Recent Examples on the Web

On Friday, Biden walked slowly toward the dual coffins that flanked an urn containing Gilbert’s ashes, gazing for a long moment at the tableau before getting down on one knee in tribute. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025

The couple has been planning their wedding for nearly two years, with the Amazon founder getting down on one knee and proposing to the Emmy-winning journalist during a summer vacation in Europe in May 2023. —Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 27 June 2025

Johnson got down to eye level with Ellen to examine her, assessing her joints and range of motion, checking her blood pressure, and listening to her heart and lungs. —Jariel Arvin, Miami Herald, 21 June 2025

The Pacers missed their first eight shots and got down 10-2. —Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for get down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown